THOUSANDS of people have signed a petition calling for traffic control measures following the death of a 12-year-old Scottish schoolgirl after she was hit by a car on Tuesday.
The incident happened on The Loaning in Motherwell, North Lanarkshire, at around 4.15pm. The girl, named locally as Abbie Mclaren, a pupil at Dalziel High School, was taken to Glasgow’s Royal Hospital for Children but later died.
A 38-year-old man from Hamilton was arrested and appeared at Hamilton Sheriff Court yesterday charged with road traffic offences. Martin McGuire made no plea and was remanded in custody.
Members of the community have launched a petition calling on North Lanarkshire Council to introduce safety measures on the road.
It reads: “I can’t imagine the pain and suffering the family are going through at this tough time and I think we all would not want it to happen to anyone again.
“So even the simplest pedestrian crossing, priority system or even speed camera just to let children cross safely or at least slow traffic down could make it a lot safer for our children, grandchildren and even elderly.”
More than 8700 people had signed the petition as of yesterday.
Motherwell and Wishaw MP Marion Fellows has also raised concerns about the situation.
She tweeted: “The community is rightly heartbroken over what has happened. I have since written to North Lanarkshire Council to raise the community’s petition with them and to join their calls in demanding action to improve safety on The Loaning and surrounding streets.
“I have particular concerns over speeding cars and safe crossings.”
A cousin of the schoolgirl has set up a GoFundMe page in her memory, which has raised more than £2500.
The schoolgirl was a pupil at Dalziel High School in Motherwell.
The school’s rector Robert Birch said: “This is a terrible tragedy and I know I’m speaking on behalf of all pupils, staff and friends at Dalziel when I say that Abbie’s death has been a devastating loss to the entire school community.
“She was a very popular, happy and talented girl who will be deeply missed by everyone at the school and her family is very much in all our thoughts.
“She had many friends here and came to school with a bright smile on her face, bringing joy to many.
“Staff and pupils will be fully supported as they come to terms with this extremely sad news.”
A North Lanarkshire Council spokesman said: “Following a tragedy such as this, it is understandable that people will raise concerns about road safety. The council’s immediate focus is on supporting pupils, staff and the wider community who are deeply affected by this appalling tragedy.
“We will work with Police Scotland throughout their investigation into the circumstances and will take appropriate action based on their findings. Against that backdrop and in light of ongoing criminal proceedings, it is entirely inappropriate to speculate on the causes and circumstances of Abbie’s death.”
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