Freddie Coleman family join 200 strong protest over speed

More than 200 campaigners joined relatives of schoolboy Freddie Coleman, 15, as they marched from Stock Village Hall, down the High Street and back, holding signs with his name.

He was on his way to Mayflower High School in Billericay when he was hit by a car as he walked to a bus stop on Stock Road in November last year.

The march, led by his family, was organised by Stock Parish Council and calls for pavement widening, maintenance of zebra crossings, average speed cameras and the lowering of the 30mph speed limit through Stock village to 20mph. 

Siblings - Daisy-May Bates and Jack Coleman (Image: Newsquest)

Freddie’s brother, Jack Coleman, 28, says there “have been constant issues with speeding here our whole lives,” and hopes the outpouring of community support will encourage change.

He said: “It is tragic that it has taken the death of a teenage boy to draw attention to the state of the roads here, which have been a constant issue for my whole life.

“We are trying to make people aware of the need to change the crossings around the village, which are so faded and damaged that drivers barely even notice them.

“While the speed limit in the village is 30mph, the roads entering are 60mph and there is a crossing right before that change. We need to get the limit taken down to 20mph desperately.

“It is what Freddie would have wanted, if this can help save a life, it is what we want.”

Lining the streets - Campaigners walk down from the village hall (Image: Newsquest)

Freddie's sister, Daisy-May Bates, 29, added that the outpouring of support from villagers was “incredible” and has been “massive for us as a family.”

She said: “Seeing so many people here today has been incredible for us.

“For Freddie, we want to see the speed limit lowered and more action taken.

“This could save a life.

"Freddie was just walking to school, it was a normal day when it happened.

"If we can prevent another family going through this, we will.”

Tragedy - Freddie Coleman died after he was hit by a car in November (Image: Newsquest)

Stock Parish councillor, Rob Pritchard, said: "To see so many people out here is genuinely moving.

"With this, we are trying to create a moment that will draw attention to the concerns of our small village and see improvements made to both crossings and footpaths."

A spokesperson for Essex Highways recently confirmed that "following fatal collisions on the road network, the Road Safety Engineering team conducts full investigations to find any highway-related factors that may have contributed."

"If clear patterns or trends are found, and remedial highways measures can help prevent them, they will be put to the Local Highways Panel for funding."