There has been a huge outcry over road traffic collisions in Birmingham that led to seven deaths and injuries over the past seven weeks.
On Sunday (June 18), hundreds of people attended a demonstration in Kings Heath where campaigners urged West Midlands Police, Birmingham City Council and other authorities to take urgent measures to make roads safer for people.
The demonstration took place following a woman and a child were severely injured in Kings Heath on Thursday, June 15. The organisers - Better Streets for Birmingham - said: “The demonstration was in response to very recent tragic and wholly preventable incidents. There were strong emotions, as there should be.”
There have been seven deaths, including four cyclists, and serious injuries since the beginning of May 2023, in Birmingham and the issue was not isolated to any one part of the city. Road safety issues have emerged as a danger to active travellers and motorists far and wide.
It has caused growing anger and frustration among residents - who have conducted more than two demonstrations in less than 10 days. A vigil was conducted on Belgrave Middleway on Saturday (June 10) and the protest on June 18 was held from Harborne to Kings Heath.
Here are the locations in Birmingham where recent collisions caused deaths and injuries:
1. Kings Heath High Street
A woman and A boy were struck by a car on Kings Heath High Street on June 15. A 27-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving and driving whilst unfit through drink/drugs. (Photo - LDRS)
2. Sutton Coldfield
A man was injured in a road collision involving a Yamaha motorcycle and a Toyota Auris car in Whitehouse Common Road, Sutton Coldfield on June 14. Following checks, the motorcycle was found to be stolen and has been seized by officers. A 23-year-old man was taken to hospital with a serious injury to his leg. A 24-year-old man suffered minor injuries.(Photo - Google Maps)
3. Coventry Road, Yardley
Police arrested a man on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and being unfit through drugs after a 12 year-old boy riding a pedal cycle was killed in a road collison on the Coventry Road at the junction with Berkeley Road on Thursday (June 8). (Photo - Google Maps)
4. Chester Road, Erdington
A middle aged man riding his bicycle died in a collision involving a car which failed to stop at Chester Road at its junction with Gravelly Lane in Erdington, Birmingham, at around 5.30pm on Wednesday May 31. A 36 year-old man was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving. (Photo - Google Maps)