Family to campaign for safer crossings

JESMIN BEGUM... remains in intensive care

THE family of a 14-year-old girl who was knocked down by a lorry are to campaign for safer crossings near Oldham schools.

A campaign is already under way to find a lollipop person to patrol the busy road where Jesmin Begum, from Main Road, Westwood, was hurt as she made her way to Radclyffe School for the first day back after the summer holidays.

Her family wants to ensure the safety of every child walking to school.

Jesmin, who suffered serious head injuries, has remained in intensive care at the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital since the accident in Broadway, Chadderton, on September 2.

Her brother, Mofozzul Choudhury (25), from Colwyn Street, said: “She is still in intensive care but she is recovering quite well. There is concern about brain injuries and we will just have to wait and see.”

The Chronicle revealed that the spot near to the junction of Hunt Lane no longer has a lollipop person.

Jesmin’s distraught family feel the accident could have been prevented if someone had been there to help children cross.

Mr Choudhury is concerned about conflicting reasons concerning withdrawal of the patrol. A letter to a resident from Chadderton Central councillor Colin McLaren said it was because of abuse from pupils and that it was not being used. The letter claimed the school had been informed of this, but the school refutes this. Officials says they understood it was due to a shortage of school crossing patrols.

Mr Choudhury said: “I would like to know who is right, as they both can’t be.”

He added: “Something needs to be done on that road, either a lollipop person or an underground tunnel. They should also reduce the speed limit from 40mph to 30mph on that stretch. It was my sister a few weeks ago and it could be someone else tomorrow. It’s one of the busiest junctions in the borough.”

“We need to prevent further accidents like this. We are going to campaign to do something about this in the whole of the borough near every school where there is a big junction like this.”