THE death of a nine-year-old girl has led to a call for the Government to install trafficcalming measures outside every school.
Keeghan Smart died after she was in collision with a car near Hardwick Green Primary School, in Tithebarn Road, Stockton, on December 6.
Now town resident Gavin McCabe has helped launch a petition with friend Angie Woods on the Prime Minister Gordon Brown’s Number 10 website in an effort to prevent similar tragedies.
“We are asking for a trafficcalming measures and a 20mph zone outside every school and 100 metres either side,” said Mr McCab.
“Something needed to be done, so I went on the website and submitted a petition. We need speed bumps or something similar to make motorists more aware of children.
“It’s been accepted so we need to get 500 signatures for the problem to be looked at.”
Father-of five Mr McCabe is using social networking websites Facebook and Twitter to attract signatures.
He said: “I have asked celebrities such as Stephen Fry and Jonathan Ross to sign the petition, as we need as much publicity as we can get.”
Keeghan’s family were left devastated by her death and are said to be supportive of the campaign.
“It shouldn’t take a tragedy like this to get something done, but if we can prevent one more child getting killed then it will be worth it,” said Mr McCabe.
“It could have been one of my children.
“If we can get new measures put in place, then we would like it to be extended to all schools across the country.”
A spokeswoman for Stockton Borough Council said discussions were already in place about new traffic measures for the Hardwick area as part of an ongoing development of the area.
She said: “We are currently reviewing all traffic-calming measures in Hardwick and will be considering the need for additional features in Tithebarn Road.
“We will be consulting with residents, schools, North-East Ambulance Service and University of North Tees Hospital.”
To sign the petition visit http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/School-safety
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