Exasperated residents living near a community park in Shirley say a pedestrian crossing there is 'long overdue'. Campaigners have called for Solihull Council to finally act on their safety concerns over the entrance to Shirley Park in Hurdis Road.
The Local Democracy Reporting Service visited the area and witnessed frequent confusion between pedestrians and motorists. Currently, there is a speed bump with a connection to a gully between houses that leads to Burman Infant School in Velsheda Road. However, reporters saw that when pedestrians waited on both sides of the bump, some motorists stopped to let them cross while others drove straight over.
Residents share their frustrations
Alan Wilson, a resident who has lived on the road for 20 years, said: 'A crossing is definitely long overdue. I've signed petitions, the council have never done anything. There are a lot of school kids here cutting through to the park and the other problem is people use this road as a rat run to avoid Stratford Road. The amount of cars has increased threefold. Some cars race down and ignore the bumps.' He believes a pelican crossing would be the ideal solution. 'Every so often this issue comes round again,' he added. 'But it is wrong it takes serious accidents for the council to add a crossing.'
Another resident, Bob, who has lived on the road for more than 30 years, said: 'It's not currently a crossing but you are meant to stop. There have been near misses, it's happened to me. When cars park in the road to go to the park you still get drivers bombing down the road, and bikes. The council says they did a traffic study and they are happy. I'd like to know when they did it - obviously not at peak times. Why do they keep refusing to put a crossing there?'
A neighbour told us pedestrians put their lives in their hands trying to cross, while another said: 'I stop when I'm driving, and you should stop. It needs a zebra there, it would be so much easier to cross.' Another resident added: 'I walk down with my dog, there are lots of dog walkers there daily. You never know if a car is going to stop for you or not. There is no appetite for the council to do it though, if it is going to cost them money.'
Petition presented to council
The issue was raised at April's full council meeting when Wendie Tilt presented a petition signed by around 400 residents. She told the meeting: 'The entrance is used daily by some of our most vulnerable residents – young children, parents with pushchairs, toddlers holding hands, elderly residents who have lived in Shirley West for decades. Over the years a number of petitions have been signed and submitted but always turned down. On May 9, 2025, the unthinkable happened – a serious accident occurred at this location. Our community is very shaken. We are presenting the petition again because we refuse to accept the answer no.'
In response, Councillor Ken Hawkins, the authority's cabinet portfolio holder for environment and infrastructure, said: 'I know the road very well. I'm advised from the three previous petitions in the last few years, the site assessment has found visibility has been adequate. Officers will revisit the site and have a look at what can be done.'
