Council’s Pace of Action Questioned After Child’s Death

Advocates assert that a local authority is demonstrating insufficient responsiveness to their pressing demands for enhanced road safety measures after an 11-year-old boy’s death. Evan Rothwell passed away in a hospital several days subsequent to being struck by a vehicle near the Kings School in Chester on November 12. A petition advocating for a reduction in the 40mph speed limit on Wrexham Road has garnered more than 14,000 signatures, with campaign group spokesperson Jessica Garner stating that the council possesses the authority to implement this alteration without delay. Cheshire West and Chester Council announced that a comprehensive review of road safety along the thoroughfare is scheduled to commence in January, while other initiatives, such as the repair of street lights, would be undertaken earlier. Jessica Garner informed BBC Radio Merseyside that although the campaigners acknowledged the council’s road safety review, its initiation was solely attributable to “the pressure of the resounding voices of the public”. She asserted that “the temporary speed limit can and must be introduced now” prior to students resuming classes in January. Ms Garner emphasized the council’s need to promptly evaluate safety hazards, considering the presence of a nursery on the road and the planned development of a new school and psychiatric hospital. She stated that an independent assessment, commissioned by the campaign organization, determined that the speed limit on the road, a primary access route into Chester, ought to be reduced to 30mph, with a further reduction to 20mph during school hours. “There’s some relief that the council appear to have acted but there’s very limited actions on there and the timescales are really vague,” Ms Garner commented. She noted that the review would not commence until January, “which is at least seven weeks since the incident and, for us, this is an unacceptable timescale”. A spokesperson for Cheshire West and Chester Council conveyed the council’s sympathies to Evan’s family and friends. The spokesperson indicated that the council intends to collaborate with the school and police “to improve use of the junction” and will assist the police and the coroner in their continuing investigations. The council has commissioned an independent and thorough examination of the junction’s operations and safety provisions in proximity to the King’s School. This examination would “include consideration of the speed limit and the suitability of traffic calming measures”. The spokesperson further mentioned that street lights have undergone repairs and pedestrian crossings have been enhanced. Hedges are slated for trimming to enhance visibility, and vehicle-activated speed warning signs are scheduled for installation in the forthcoming weeks. A commemorative service for Evan Rothwell was held at St Werburgh’s Church in Chester on Saturday, December 14. Attendees of the service donned Christmas hats, jumpers, and antlers in remembrance of Evan. During the service, Evan’s parents reiterated their appeal for a reduction in the speed limit “to prevent this from happening again”.