Bereaved pet owner hits back over speeders

Published on 29th March 2007 in News

The owner of a cat that was killed after it was allegedly knocked down by an employee at a nearby factory has hit out this week over the incident.

In the March 15 edition of the Goole Times, we reported how residents of Paper Mill Road in Rawcliffe Bridge were in uproar after a cat was run over and killed by a motorist, who allegedly worked at the D.S. Smith Packaging factory at the end of the road.

One resident, who did not wish to be named, told the Goole Times how factory employees are regularly tearing along Paper Mill Road at high speeds, in excess of the permitted 30mph, and warned that next time, it could be a child that gets knocked over.

But Bob Koczulab, managing director of D.S. Smith Packaging, insisted that there was no evidence to suggest that a factory employee was responsible for running the cat over.

Now, Barbara Head, owner of Blackie the cat, who was sadly killed in the latest accident, has spoken out against the nearby factory.

Barbara told the Goole Times this week: "There were two cats involved in the accident - they must have been chasing each other and ran out in front of the car. Blackie had to be put to sleep at the vets because he was in such a bad way, and the other cat had its foot broken.

"What the manager of D.S Smith Packaging said about there being no proof that an employee was involved in the incident is a load of bull. Does he stand at the top and bottom of Paper Mill Road and watch all the cars pass by? How does he know they're not speeding?

"Two witnesses saw somebody from the factory come tearing down the street that day, and he knew he had hit my cat but he didn't even stop.

"As for community meetings that D.S. Smith Packaging is involved with - we are not aware of any. If we were, then we'd all go and complain about the speeding along the road."

A spokesperson for East Riding of Yorkshire Council has this week confirmed that some traffic calming measures have been put in place in Paper Mill Road since the accident, and it is hoped that there will be further action taken in the future.

The spokesperson said: "We received complaints from residents about the speed of vehicles in Paper Mill Road. Following a consultation, it was decided to install a chicane as part of our Safer Routes to Schools programme.

"The consultation over a potential 20mph zone in Paper Mill Road and part of Bridge Lane is ongoing as we have received some objections to it."