Traffic calming calls in Walsall after boy, 9, is hit by car
A community is calling for improved traffic calming measures after a schoolboy was hit by a car close to a park in Walsall.
Nine-year-old Riyadh Alim suffered a broken nose and was taken to hospital following the incident in Cobden Street at the junction with Dale Street.
It is close to Palfrey Park and Palfrey Junior School.
Now his father Abdul, 37, is teaming up with a community group calling for road safety measures to be introduced.
Mr Alim, a businessman, said: "Road safety needs to be dealt with by the police and the council.
"It is our lives at risk.
"My child is nine years old and he was badly shaken up by what happened to him.
"This has put my son and the rest of the family through an experience that I wouldn't wish on any other family.
"I am concerned that if more is not done to deal with the road safety issues the circumstances will be worse – as the way I see it the situation is getting beyond dangerous."
Chairman of Palfrey & Caldmore Neighbourhood Watch Mohammed Rafiq said: "We are well disappointed to note that another road traffic collision where a child has sustained injuries has happened.
"Road safety is key community concern and needs to be addressed by the relevant agencies."
Mr Rafiq said parents were also concerned that the pedestrian gates at Palfrey Junior School in nearby Milton Street were now being kept shut.
He claimed when the opening of the gates prevented traffic build up at the rear entrance near Palfrey Park, where the children were now collected from.
Another parent Pavol McVassle said: "The school has not helped the situation by locking the gates.
"There has been no issue with the gates for many years."
Palfrey Junior School head Tina Dunkley refused to comment on the situation.
Riyadh, a pupil at the school, was discharged from Walsall Manor Hospital on Friday.
Transport chief, councillor Lee Jeavons, said: "Walsall Council is extremely saddened to learn of the recent road traffic collision in Cobden Street.
"Our sympathies go out to the child and families concerned.
"We take road traffic accidents very seriously and we are especially alert around the road safety of children across the borough.
"Once the facts surrounding the collision have been established by West Midlands Police council engineers will review the information and determine whether any further action is required."
Police say they are no longer investigating the incident.
