Chesterfield MP says fatal collision 'no major surprise' after another near miss

Labour MP Toby Perkins joined calls for further safety measures on Derby Road after a 60-year-old Chesterfield woman died last week after being hit by a black Fiat Panda on Wednesday at the pedestrian crossing close to the junction with Redvers Buller Road.

He said: “My heart goes out to the family of the woman who was killed. They have my utmost sympathy and condolences, and I am available if they want to speak to me.

“I have already raised traffic safety issues on Derby Road previously with Derbyshire County Council following a concern raised by a constituent as I have with many other danger hotspots, but their answer has always been that they only take measures when there is an accident record.”

He added: “I have said before that road safety should be preventative, not simply waiting until accidents have happened and I would like to see a change of focus at Derbyshire County Council to preventing accident before they happen.”

Mr Perkins said he has contacted police for a collision report and will work with the council to ‘fully investigate the incident and any steps that can be taken to make Derby Road safer.’

It comes after a near miss on the road on Thursday morning. CCTV footage captured a car seemingly skipping a red light and almost hitting 73-year-old Irene Hayward as she crossed the road.

Irene’s son, 52-year-old taxi driver Andrew, said the incident left her ‘very shocked and scared’.

He added: “It could have been my mum that day.

"There’s more people going to get killed or seriously injured.”

Mr Perkins said: “With regard to Derby Road, it is well known to be a very busy one with far more traffic than is appropriate for a residential street.

“As someone who previously lived on a road that feeds onto the A61 and used to work on it too, this tragic accident doesn’t come as a major surprise, nor will it to anyone who lives there or travels regularly on it.”

Only a bypass or a ‘far more extensive set of improvements’ are likely to make a big difference, Mr Perkins claimed.