A driver involved in a hit-and-run accident says a controversial roadworks scheme in Stafford is causing a dangerous ‘rat-run’ near his home.
Nick Harris says another car which came the wrong way into an exit from the Tesco Express near Wolverhampton Road smashed into him and failed to stop.
Mr Harris says the area has become a popular ‘rat-run’ for drivers trying to get to the A449 from Rickerscote Road, which has been closed off at one end.
The closure is part of a major gas mains replacement and resurfacing programme being carried out in the area, which caused huge tailbacks and delays for commuters this week.
On Sunday, Mr Harris said he was driving his Citroen C2 out of an exit road from the Lammascote Road store when he says a female driver coming the wrong way crashed into him and then drove off without stopping.
“People are cutting through the petrol station down a one-way to get to the A449 and ignoring the signs because of the roadworks,” he said. “It’s a no-entrance but people can get through the roadworks by cutting through it.”
And Mr Harris, aged 37, has hit out at “uninterested” police officer over their handling of the incident. He called the police from the garage straight after the crash but says he was told the police were too short-staffed to take a full statement from him – because of the bank holiday.
The train manager didn’t see an officer until Wednesday and is furious that police have still not picked up CCTV footage from Tesco which staff have told him shows the entire incident – including the registration plate on the other car, which was a Peugeot 306.
Mr Harris, of Penkvale Mews, said: “I would have assumed that failing to stop at the scene of an accident was quite a serious thing. And saying they were short-staffed over the bank holiday is ridiculous – so crimes have to committed on a certain day for the police to do anything about them?
“The police may not think it’s that major but until they trace the other driver and get it on the database my insurance company can’t do anything. No-one can be bothered to go up there and get the CCTV tape. The Tesco people have told me it’s all on there, including the other driver’s registration as clear as day, but I don’t know how long it’s going to be kept.
“I think the way they’ve handled the whole thing has been disgusting and I’m going to be in touch with the police complaints commission.”
However, local police say they are looking into the incident and appealed for witnesses to come forward.
Pc Steve Thornton said: “One of the drivers involved in the incident has been spoken to by officers, where a collision report was completed and all evidential details were taken. Further investigations into the collision are being carried out and CCTV from Tesco Express will be seized if it is deemed to have further evidential information. We would appeal for anyone who witnessed this collision to contact myself on 08453 302010 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.”
7 Comments
Typical police.
Hound legal drivers to the point of harrasement but wont go an arrest a hit and run!
Appalling especially as we have all just had a hike in our council tax to help pay the idle buggers!
CCTV from Tesco Express will be seized if it is deemed to have further evidential information.
We would appeal for anyone who witnessed this collision to contact myself.
(taken from above report)
Constable Thornton, i apeal to you-what part of TESGO HAS IT ON CCTV showing the entire incident -do you not understand,put your cuppa down and go obtain the tape for a start off.
Unbelievable and yet so believable.
I was in london where my car was broken into in bropad daylight. We rang 999 to report the incident and I got verbally abused by the police telephone caller as to why I was using 999 rather than a 08457 number. 999 was the number I was always bought up to use. Anyway they were not interested as they said it is a low priority incident. Even though we were passed by 2 police cars who could have stopped and taken finger prints from the car. I have no confidence in the police, they are more interested in paperwork then anything else.
I feel sorry for that guy, I go home past the tesco garage and the amount of times people do use it to cut cross the busy 449 and not getting picked up is a disgrace!
Since when has Lamnascote Road been anywhere near the Tesco Express in Rising Brook?!
not exactly the point of this article but having worked for the council and know the corrupt way it runs, isnt anyone else getting fed up of needless roadworks being carried out in March just because the remaining money the council has is to be wasted before April 1st?? I for one have seen massive roadworks in Wolverhampton (just in Compton and Finchfield alone) and suffered nightmare traffic just because the government will hold back funds if the council do not appear to be spending all they are given each year………..
By the way theres a good story in this if any of you journo’s are interested.
Your surprised? When my vehicle was broken into, the offenders were identified, their vehicle identified within 3 minutes of the offence. Six months later the plod didn’t know who they were but I was asked if I had been in trouble with the Police. Catchy catchy easy monkey and let the guilty b***** off.
Not meaning to belittle Mr Harris, I personaly would rather have the police chasing drug pushers/rapists/people traffickers/murderers/paedophiles/illegal immigrants and the like, rather than some girl who panicked after she dented your pride rather than cause any serious injury….