Grief-stricken family demand road safety measures after death of Birmingham grandmother

Over 500 people have signed a petition demanding road safety improvements after the fatal hit-and-run death of a much-loved grandmother in Washwood Heath Road, Birmingham.

The family of Irshad Begum, 80, launched the petition after the the tragic death of their beloved grandmother on 5 April.

The shocking death of the elderly woman led to public demands for road safety improvements to be implemented at the scene of the fatal accident.

The family of Irshad Begum said the location where the accident happened is the scene of previous incidents yet no action has been taken by the authorities to make the road safer for pedestrians and motorists.

They are devastated by their loss, and have now launched an online petition to demand changes to prevent other families from suffering the trauma of loss.

The family issued a statement describing their loss and made a plea for road safety changes: “On Tuesday 5th April, we lost a mother, grandmother, friend, sister and a pillar of our community. She was the most loving, caring and warm individual and was loved by everyone. She welcomed everyone with a loving smile that we will never forget, the memories we have will live in our hearts forever.

“This was a tragic loss for all the community and it was caused by speeding on Washwood Heath Road, this is not the first time that this has happened. As a family we feel very strongly about this and we do not want history repeating itself. There have been a range of accidents which have taken place on this specific road and so many families have been impacted.

“We have lost our beloved mother but we feel collectively that there needs to be a change, there needs to be more measures put into place to stop speeding.

“We are asking for the local leaders and decision makers to raise awareness of the impact of speed and to put into place speed cameras and other alternative measures. On this road specifically, there have been many deaths and we ourselves have witnessed this, we were empathising with the loved ones of those who have lost their lives and now we have first hand experience.

“The family is asking for local leaders and decision makers to acknowledge safety concerns and to put in place speed cameras and other measures.”

Irshad Begum’s family also requested people to reach out to Councillors and Members of Parliament and ask for immediate road safety changes and prevent further accidents or fatalities taking place at the accident hotspot which is used by families, pupils from local schools, and elderly pedestrians.

West Midlands Police have stated that a suspect, who was apprehended shortly after the death of Irshad Begum on Tuesday 5 April, has now been charged.

Amaan Isa, 28, will appear at Birmingham Crown Court to face charges of causing death by dangerous driving, driving while disqualified and having no insurance. The trial will begin on 5 May.