More safety calls after death of boy,12 (From Daily Echo)

More safety calls after death of boy,12

4:43pm Thursday 2nd October 2008 in

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MORE calls are being made today for improvements to a notorious road junction in a Hampshire village following the death of a young cyclist.

Aaron Keeping died after being involved in an accident with a car in Bransgore in the New Forest.

The 12-year-old, from Burnt House Lane in the village, died in hospital shortly after the accident at 4.30pm on Tuesday.

The parish council has been attempting to have improvements made to the staggered and partially blind corner beside the Crown Inn.

But their calls have been falling on deaf ears because – until now – there had been no fatalities there to justify expenditure.

Cricket fan Aarron was attempting to cross Burley Road from the Crown Inn forecourt when his bicycle was in collision with a Ford Focus car driven by a 25-year-old.

New Forest district councillor John Penwarden said: “I support anything to try and improve the junction there, but it’s difficult to know how you can, but I believe a barrier at that point would help.”

He is suggesting that a physical barrier could be placed at the edge of the pub forecourt to prevent pedestrians, and cyclists like Aarron, from suddenly appearing from around the blind corner in front of vehicles.

The youngster was a keen cricketer and was captain of Bransgore Under-13s.

Michael Towers, whose son Ben was a friend, said: "Aarron was the best batsman in the village of his age, probably the best all-rounder, and he was captain.

"He would have had a future that could have lasted him all his life – until he was 50 or so – it was his passion."