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Campaigners pressing for a safer crossing |
Family of road victim presses for crossing to be made safer
‘Accident waiting to happen’ claim after pensioner dies at ‘danger’ spot
THE son of a pensioner killed in a road accident believes a notorious Bloomsbury crossing contributed to his death.
John Doran, 76, who lived in the Brunswick Centre, died in December last year from injuries sustained after being hit by a people carrier as he crossed the road at the junction of Marchmont Street and Tavistock Place.
Mr Doran, who was known as Jack, lost his fight for life in hospital two days after the accident, a St Pancras inquest heard on Tuesday.
Coroner Dr Andrew Reid ruled that his death was the result of an accident after hearing evidence from collision investigators and eye-witnesses that Mr Doran stepped in front of a car without looking the right way.
Speaking after the inquest, his family added their voices to a growing campaign, backed by a petition, for safety improvements at the junction.
Mr Doran’s son Liam, 35, said: “I believe the crossing should be changed and it contributed to my father’s death. It was an accident waiting to happen and other accidents have happened since.”
Dianne Doran, who was separated from her husband but lives nearby, described the crossing as “terrible”. The position of the junction made it difficult to see cars coming, she added.
One of the main points of concern is that the green-man signal gives pedestrians just three seconds to cross.
The junction came under intense criticism when 30 residents and traders who met to discuss their concerns urged the council to take action.
Many reported seeing near-misses at the spot on a daily basis.
On Monday, a pedestrian was reportedly left badly shaken after a near-collision with a taxi.
The Town Hall has come under fire for refusing to make any changes without financial support from Transport for London. Press officers insisted this week that accident levels at the junction “remain low to average”. Six accidents have been recorded at the spot over the past three years, in line with the London average.
Bloomsbury ward Labour councillor Jonathan Simpson fears that, without action, another fatality is likely. “It’s disappointing that the council seem to be finding excuses and don’t seem to be taking seriously the gravity of the situation – one death, a number of serious injuries and close accidents every day which don’t seem to be recorded,” he said.
He will be part of a deputation to a full council meeting later this month when campaigners will hand in a petition calling for immediate changes.
Paying tribute to his father this week, Liam Doran described him as a “loving father and grandfather” and a “traditional Englishman” who was on his way to the pub for an evening drink with friends when the tragedy happened.
Describing how his father had travelled around the world as a young man, spending time in Spain and the United States, Mr Doran added: “Some people live their lives all in one spot. My dad had a bit of get up and go about him.
“This wasn’t supposed to be how his story ended. I’m 35 and he never told me the same story twice – he was always telling stories.”
Mr Doran is also survived by grandchildren, Jack, 3, and Charlie, 1. |
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Your comments:
The "near collision with a taxi on Monday" reported in this article was in fact an actual collision! The victim was my daughter in law, who has been left with a fractured pelvis, a badly gashed head requiring lots of stitches and numerous severe bruises and scrapes. She will be off work for weeks , but we consider ourselves lucky that my toddler granddaughter has not been left without a mother or my son without his wife. Our family will certainly be joining the campaign to get something done about this blackspot.
Susan Sawyer |
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