Call for safety work at Narborough Road junction where toddlers fatally injured

A petition has been launched to improve road safety at a junction in Leicester where young children suffered fatal injuries earlier this month.

Robert Martin is asking people to back a call to get Leicester City Council to examine the design of the junction of Narborough Road and Braunstone Gate.

Mr Martin lives close to the scene of the collision where one-year-old Oliwier Baczyk and two-year-old Zofia Tabaka suffered fatal injuries when a car crashed into their pushchairs at the pedestrian crossing on August 6.

His petition will be translated into Polish to involve the large expat community in the area, which has been rocked by the heartbreaking event.

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Mr Martin, 46, who has collected more than 50 signatures so far, said: "The junction hasn't been safe for a long time."

He is also asking for stronger enforcement restrictions relating to double yellow lines, zigzag lines and crossings in the area.

Mark Whait, a friend of Zofia's father Lukasz, has been raising cash for the family.

He said: "I think this is something which the community would back – it has really affected a lot of people."

Ward councillor Andy Connelly said: "Obviously, taking into account the tragic accident which occurred there, we would want to see a review of the junction to see if anything can be done to improve safety."

Since the children's deaths, people from across the county have been donating cash to the two families – who flew back home to Poland last week.

The inquest into the youngsters' deaths opened at Leicester Coroner's Court on August 13.

Police described how a dark grey BMW was involved in a collision with a red Mini Cooper at the junction and the BMW came off the road, mounted the pavement and hit the pushchairs.

Officers continue to investigate the collision and the drivers of both cars, a 40-year-old woman and a 61-year-old man, are on police bail pending further investigations.

No one has been charged. A spokesman for Leicester City Council said the petition would need 1,500 signatures before it went before a full council meeting.

He said: "A police investigation is ongoing into this accident, so we will await the findings of this to see whether any recommendations are made regarding the junction's safety.

"However, we will always listen carefully to the views of local residents on matters of road safety."

For the petition, visit the Leicester City Council website: Narborough Road/Braunstone Gate junction safety.