Shops near 'extremely dangerous' Birmingham street call for action after horror crash

Concerned shops in and around Dogpool Lane said 'bad crashes' happened 'quite a lot' - including a fatal collision last year

Businesses near an "extremely dangerous" road in Stirchley have called for new safety measures to stop reckless driving. The traders, based on or near Dogpool Lane, spoke out after a massive crash on the 20mph road earlier this week.

Six vehicles were damaged in the collision at around 4.20pm on Monday, October 14, near a GP and a mental health centre. A man was arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving and assaulting a police officer following the incident.

Concerned shops in the area told BirminghamLive "bad crashes" happened "quite a lot". "You often see horns beeping and drivers arguing," said Cobwebs Antiques owner Richard Price.

READ MORE: Anxious cyclist says 'make it stop' after huge crash in 20mph Dogpool Lane near school

The 51-year-old, whose Pershore Road shop was forced to temporarily close in October last year after a man was killed in a crash outside, said: "Dogpool Lane and Pershore Road junction is really bad. There are problems there daily.

"Last year, a car came straight across that junction and into the shop next door to me. The police had to close the road.

"There was another one too, not long ago, further up the road, involving two cars. It happens quite a lot.

"Because it's a cross junction, you see people taking liberties and trying to get around cars by coming around the side." Mr Price, who opened his shop over a decade ago, called for traffic lights to be installed at the junction.

"That's the only thing that could really help, and maybe more cameras," he said. "But I don't think it will happen."

Laima Rayner, owner of wedding store Laima Bridal on Dogpool Lane, agreed with Mr Price. She said: "It's an extremely dangerous junction.

"Traffic lights are needed. I avoid it where I can because it's so difficult. There's always lots of cars, and [drivers] go around the side. It's not safe."

A third business owner, who chose not to be named, told BirminghamLive: "We've seen our fair share of [crashes]. You see it too much. Speeding often the cause, I think.

"It's a tight road, really, for how busy it is. And lots of people live here. You've got Moor Green school near us; people need to be careful."

On the serious collision on Monday, a West Midlands Police spokesperson said: "A Volkswagen Golf failed to stop for officers at around 4.20pm before crashing on Dogpool Lane, damaging six vehicles. The driver then fled the scene.

"A baseball bat was also recovered from the vehicle. A 23-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of failing to stop for police, dangerous driving, assaulting an officer, possession of an offensive weapon and driving with no insurance.

"He was taken to hospital for treatment as a precaution and has since been discharged and remains in custody for questioning." West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to the scene but paramedics were stood down shortly after arriving.