Speed limit cut bid on West Bromwich triple death road
The speed limit could be slashed on a busy Black Country commuter route where three people have died and more injured in two years.
Forge Lane in West Bromwich, which runs along Sandwell's border with Birmingham, is currently unrestricted, allowing motorists to hit speeds of up to 60mph.
But proposals have been put forward by Sandwell Council to cut the limit to 40mph in a bid to improve safety along the road, which runs through Sandwell Valley Country Park.
Councillor Maria Crompton, cabinet member for highways and environment, said: "We are looking at the possibility of a reduction in the speed limit on Forge Lane. The borough boundary with Birmingham runs down the middle of Forge Lane and Park Lane and it means that the proposed 40mph scheme will need to be approved and partly funded by Birmingham City Council.
"Sandwell highway engineers are currently drawing up preliminary design plans and these will be forwarded to Birmingham in due course."
"If Birmingham City Council agree with the proposals and wish to part fund the scheme, then statutory consultation can commence."
Last August, Mandip Singh Khangura, aged 28, and Sukbir Singh Rana, 23, were killed when the Honda Civic in which they were travelling crashed into railings at HandsworthCemetery flipping the car over and throwing the men out.
Mr Khangura, of Oxhill Road, Handsworth, died at the scene, while Mr Rana, of Copthall Road, Handsworth, died in hospital.
John Scott, chairman of the local access forum and member of the Sandwell Valley Trails Group said: "It's great to see that the proposal is happening after a long time of people asking for something to be done. Something has been needed on this road for some years, and it has been a cause for concern for the group for some time. The route is popular with horse riders and cyclists, and there are several crossing places along the road that are used by walkers."
In January two women were injured after their car hit a tree leaving the driver trapped in the car for 20 minutes while in 2012 Avtar Bening was killed when he was hit by a car.
