The petition of Loraine Wilson, the family and friends of Samuel Wilson and residents of Ilkeston,
Declares that Ilkeston market place is insufficiently pedestrianised and that new anti-vehicle measures should be put in place to enhance public safety.
The petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urge the Government to call on relevant authorities and key partners to strengthen pedestrianisation measures on Ilkeston market place, and that the petitioners remain informed as to actions taken to achieve this goal.
And the petitioners remain, etc.—[Presented by Adam Thompson, Official Report, 13 October 2025; Vol. 773, c. 173.]
[P003116]
Observations from the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport (Simon Lightwood):
The Government are grateful for your petition regarding pedestrianisation and public safety at Ilkeston marketplace, recognise the strength of feeling within the local community, and understand their concerns about ensuring that public spaces are safe and accessible for all following the tragic incident involving Samuel Wilson.
The Department for Transport is committed to supporting local authorities in their efforts to improve road safety, including for pedestrians.
Responsibility for traffic management and the implementation of pedestrianisation measures on local roads rests with the relevant local authority—in this case, Derbyshire county council.
The Government view is that these authorities are best placed to assess local needs and determine appropriate interventions.
The Department for Transport provides good practice guidance through documents such as the traffic signs manual and the manual for streets, which prioritises consideration of pedestrian needs.
The Government commend the Member for Erewash (Adam Thompson) for bringing this important issue to the attention of the House of Commons and the Government. We hope that Derbyshire county council will engage constructively with the Member and local residents to discuss their concerns and explore appropriate solutions.