'We've been fighting for 35 years to make this road safer'

A 35-year campaign to improve safety on a road through Maltby, near Rotherham, has reached Downing Street.

Shirley Carruthers, 77, personally delivered a petition to the Prime Minister calling for action on Blyth Road, a 30mph stretch that runs through the former mining community. Carruthers is supported by Rother Valley MP Jake Richardsand 958 constituents, who have expressed concerns over collisions, serious injuries, and fatalities along the road.

Carruthers is urging the government to implement traffic calming measures, improved signage, and pedestrian crossings. Her campaign follows several recent incidents, including the death of a 28-year-old woman in September 2025, who was struck by a van, and a hit-and-run in July 2024 in which another 28-year-old woman was seriously injured.

“It's heartbreaking. She was killed where it says it's a public footpath near the cenotaph, and the speed limit is 30mph – but it’s not enforced,” Carruthers said.

Over the decades, Carruthers has been personally involved in road incidents, performing first aid for children hit by vehicles and losing two friends in crashes during the 1980s and 1990s.

“I wouldn't get emotional in normal circumstances, but it’s like a television screen in front of my face. Every day I look out my window and it's there,” she said.

Carruthers claims that Rotherham Council has cited a lack of funding for road improvements.

“What price can you put on a life, an injury, a disability? This is our road. We live here and our residents want something done about it,” she said.

MP Jake Richards emphasised the danger of the road for local residents:

“This stretch heading into or out of Maltby is well-known as dangerous. Cars speed as they head into the countryside, yet there’s still a large residential area. Children play right by the road, and vehicles often exceed the speed limit. Shirley has been raising these concerns for decades, and residents deserve to feel safe on their own streets. Taking this petition to Downing Street ensures these concerns are taken seriously.”

Government data shows five collisions occurred on the 30mph section of Blyth Road between 2020 and 2024, including serious injuries to a 16-year-old motorcyclist and a 13-year-old pedestrian, along with several incidents causing slight injuries.

Andrew Bramidge, executive director of regeneration and environment at Rotherham Council, said the council is working closely with South Yorkshire Police regarding the recent fatality.

“Until the investigation and the coroner’s report are concluded, it would be inappropriate to comment further. Rotherham Council takes road safety seriously and delivers improvements based on statutory responsibilities, available evidence, and residents’ concerns. Once the police investigation and coroner’s findings are complete, we will review this location and consider any appropriate next steps.”