Biker left with life-changing injuries after HS2 van smash warns: Country roads aren’t safe for construction traffic
By James Smith
13th Jun 2022 | Local News
Motorcyclist Derek McMartin shattered his right arm and suffered five broken ribs when he was thrown 20 feet down the road in a crash with an HS2 contractor's van in Balsall Common.
The 54-year-old biker spent six days in hospital and faces 18 months of recovery after the smash at the busy junction of Waste Lane and Hodgetts Lane, in April.
HS2 and contractor Balfour Beatty Vinci want councillors to allow them to send an extra 400 lorries through the village and down the country roads.
But Mr McMartin has warned it isn't safe for heavy works traffic to use the narrow lanes.
"This needs to be brought to people's attention because if HS2 is saying there are no safety worries, they are wrong," he said to Kenilworth Nub News.
"For them to say it is adding no extra danger, I absolutely and totally disagree with that.
"I spent six days in hospital, I was in an enhanced care major trauma ward, I had multiple operations over two days. On the way to the hospital they categorised my injuries as 'life changing'."
Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council refused permission for a second time for HS2 to send the lorries down the Kenilworth Road onto Waste Lane and Gypsy Lane this March.
The developer has appealed the decision, stating that its proposed 20mph speed limits and mini-roundabouts would solve any safety problems.
But Mr McMartin said the roads would still not be suitable.
"I am not necessarily worried about the volume of traffic going through the main road, the 'A' road because it is built for it," he added.
"But once you start putting them on the 'B' roads, and then have them stopping or turning and whatever else, that is when safety comes into question for me."
As well as the injuries, the crash caused over £6,000 worth of damage to Mr McMartin's brand new motorbike.
But Mr McMartin, who works in the motorcycle industry, said the crash could have been even worse for him and that others may not have been so lucky.
"It's funny, it was almost like a training exercise," he said.
"A fireperson first responder was first over - she was just on her way to work behind.
"A GP was also there and two medical students as well, it was just amazing really who was there.
"I am fortunate that the experience I have in the industry taught me how to crash, and the safest way to do it."
Steps Taken
Following the crash, an HS2 spokesperson said to Nub News that action had been taken to prevent it happening again.
"We regret that this incident occurred and our contractor BBV have put in a programme of regular safety briefings since the incident to raise awareness of road safety and well-known accident black spots," they said.
"Public safety is our top priority as we build HS2 and we have delivered a package of road improvements at the junction of Hodgetts Lane and Waste Lane, including installing a vehicle-triggered warning sign and improving visibility of existing signage, as well as renewing existing carriageway markings and intelligent cats eyes."
Included in the regular briefings was a safety campaign about looking for motorcyclists.
And all BBV staff attended a safety briefing about the incident in Balsall Common.
The spokesperson added: "The current application to make use of Waste Lane will have no impact on the number of vehicles using the Waste Lane/Hodgetts Lane junction."
Petition Launched
With HS2 still trying to push through plans to use the road as a major haul route, local campaigners continue to fight the scheme.
Berkswell Parish Council member Cllr Andrew Burrow has started a petition as he hopes to persuade the borough council not to approve the application second time around.
"It is the harm that is likely to be caused to residents by using that route," he told Nub News.
"The road is too narrow and the pavements are too narrow to allow for safe passing of vehicles that are that wide."
He added: "Some people are distraught; some people are resigned to it.
"When a lady tells you that she has to keep her children on the hedge side of the road because she is so scared, and now she thinks she is going to have to drive to school - which is just a third of a mile away – it really gets you."
With the petition hitting nearly 800 signatures in the space of a week, Cllr Burrow said residents were tired of HS2 not taking their views into account.
"These are real people with real problems, and they don't want to be fighting HS2 over things like this," he said.
"Most residents want this thing built and gone. They want HS2 to do their upmost to minimise the impact on the local community.
"They don't believe that is what they do."
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