Stotfold driver’s appeal after near miss

Richard Bircumshaw was driving along Stotfold High Street on Monday when he almost hit a car travelling at high speed in the opposite direction.

Builder Mr Bircumshaw, who runs Bircumshaw Home Extensions and was on his way to visit a client said: “I had to stop behind a large pick-up truck which was parked at the side of the road.

“There is a bend in that part of the road and the truck was so large that I had to edge out but it’s almost impossible to see if there is anything coming in the opposite direction.

“The next thing I knew there was this car speeding towards me. I managed to avoid it but it was a close shave.”

Last month the Chronicle ran a story on Tony Shiel, a Stotfold High Street resident who said that selfish and thoughtless parking has made the road a very hazardous one for drivers to use.

Mr Bircumshaw, 64, also wants residents to take more care.

Councillor Brian Spurr, executive member for sustainable communities – services at Central Bedfordshire Council, said: “At the current time, there are no plans in progress to introduce a residents’ parking scheme in Stotfold High Street. However, in response to these residents’ concerns the transportation team will be assessing the parking situation in this area.”

For the full story see the Biggleswade Chronicle of Friday, August 26.