At a recent Solihull Council meeting held at the Civic Suite on April 8, Mike Doyle, a former chief superintendent with West Midlands Police, voiced his mounting frustration regarding hazardous speeding on Church Hill Road. He characterised the road as resembling a “race track,” citing a number of dangerous incidents that have concerns for public safety escalating over time.

Having resided in Church Hill Road for over 20 years, Doyle emphasised that families in the area were contemplating relocating due to the dangerous conditions. He expressed his distress at what he called a “disgrace,” pointing to a lack of action following a series of crashes. He detailed three specific incidents to underline the severity of the situation.

In one instance, a vehicle lost control and crashed into a resident’s home, while in another, a car overtook into oncoming traffic, resulting in a significant collision that saw the vehicle land in the carriageway after tyres burst on impact. Perhaps the most alarming incident, as described by Doyle, involved a car flipping onto its roof, destroying trees and a lamppost, which then ended up in a nearby garden, witnessed by parents with young children.

Doyle implored council members to visualise the potential disasters unfolding in front of them, emphasising, “This is the potential disaster unfolding before our eyes.” He shared that numerous residents had reported instances of reckless driving, and added that anxiety about safety had spurred at least two families to seriously consider moving away.

To combat the dangerous driving habits, Doyle proposed the installation of heavy-duty speed ramps at either end of Church Hill Road as a means to influence driver behaviour. He also called for a robust enforcement strategy aimed at seizing vehicles driven in a manner that causes public distress.

In response to Doyle’s concerns, Councillor Ken Hawkins, Solihull Council’s cabinet portfolio holder for environment and infrastructure, acknowledged that enforcement of speed offences falls primarily to the police. He noted, “What you say is real but Solihull roads are the safest in the West Midlands, one of the safest in the country,” while also highlighting the serious risks posed by reckless driving.

Hawkins pledged to escalate these concerns to the police, stating, “We will be taking this further.” A representative from West Midlands Police confirmed their awareness of the community’s concerns and noted an increase in police patrols in the area. Inspector Tom Clayton from the Solihull Local Policing Area mentioned ongoing cooperative efforts with local authorities, speedwatch groups, and the roads policing unit to address issues of speeding and dangerous driving. Residents were encouraged to report such incidents to the police via the non-emergency number 101.

Doyle’s passionate plea reflects growing anxiety among residents of Church Hill Road as they call for more effective measures to enhance safety on their streets, underlining the community’s demand for urgent action on traffic regulation and enforcement.

Source: Noah Wire Services