Death of second pedestrian on Kenilworth Road prompts renewed calls for streetlights to be switched on - The Stratford Observer

Death of second pedestrian on Kenilworth Road prompts renewed calls for streetlights to be switched on

Stratford Editorial 6th May, 2019   0

THE DEATH of a student has prompted renewed calls for streetlights to be turned on.

Warwick University student Mohammed Mohiuddin was hit by a taxi on Kenilworth Road in Leamington in the early hours of Wednesday April 24.

The 22-year-old lived on campus in Coventry and was in his first year studying law.

It is the second death of a pedestrian on the road after 18-year-old Warwick University student Archie Wellbelove was knocked down by a taxi in 2012.




An inquest found the street lights being turned off played a part in English and French student Archie’s death.

And now following the death of a second university student, Archie’s family have renewed calls for the streetlights to be switched on.


Archie’s brother Henry told the Observer: “The parallels are self-evident with this young man’s death and that of my younger brother.

“The tragedy surrounding my brother’s death was further compounded by the fact that the streetlights were turned off only a matter of weeks before he was knocked down and killed.

“It astounds me therefore that Warwickshire County Council did not heed the warning Archie’s death should have given them. The council’s decision to extinguish the street lighting in the small hours has now resulted in another untimely, and wholly avoidable death.

“My family and I would like to extend our warmest wishes to those affected by this, the latest episode in what is now a series of the council’s enduring neglect.”

Archie’s mum Katie Wellbelove added that council budgets should not come before the cost of a life.

She added: “Now that another young man has been taken from his friends and family, surely funds from a budget somewhere can be found?

“I would be astounded if the council do not now reconsider the decision to remove street lighting in this area. Lack of funds can no longer be an excuse.”

The Wellbelove family’s call has been echoed by Observer readers, who took to our Facebook page to say a second pedestrian’s death should not have happened on the road.

One said: “What an absolute tragedy. It’s a shame the council didn’t learn from the first death. How many more lives will be lost before something is done? ”

Another wrote: “They say lightning doesn’t strike twice, why did no one act when this happened the first time?”

Warwickshire County Council says it will be conducting an investigation.

A spokeswoman said: “The council works with police to carry out a full investigation whenever there is a fatality on one of our roads, taking into consideration highway engineering and safety measures at the location and establishing if any changes can be made to improve safety.

“Our thoughts are with the young man’s friends and loved ones at this extremely difficult time.”

Anyone with information about the crash is asked to call 101 and speak to police.

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