Latest news straight to your inbox Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Residents living near the scene of a fatal crash which claimed the life of a devoted Blues fan have renewed their demands for safety measures.

Noreen Ryan, 49, was killed and her sister Mary seriously injured when their Ford Fiesta collided with a hired £100,000 Audi R8 on August 26.

Noreen, who had seven sisters and brothers, was her 90-year-old mother’s carer, and was described as the “heart spark and soul” of her family.

The crash happened at the junction of Reddings Lane and Shaftmoor Lane in Hall Green as she and Mary returned from their niece’s 16th birthday party in Solihull.

Nearby resident Jonathan Gurling said he first asked Birmingham City Council to make safety improvements at the scene seven years ago.

“That junction is, in my view, inherently dangerous,” he said. “I have lived yards from it for 27 years and I’ve seen a gradual increase in accidents and near-misses there.

“Mercifully most have been minor. I would estimate there has been at least one incident there most weeks.

“Personally, when driving I always avoid either crossing from one part of Reddings Lane to the other.”

Mr Gurling, 64, wrote to the council’s highways department after the 49-year-old’s death and said: “I asked in 2006 whether someone had to die before something was done.

“Now, tragically, that has happened. Along with many of my neighbours, I now ask you to take the dangers of this crossroads seriously.”

In 2006 the city’s highways department said it could not provide junction improvements because of financial constraints.

District engineer at the time Gary Dalton, added: “Funds are restricted to schemes which would be most likely to provide a significant reduction in the personal accident history of the particular site being considered.”

The 24- year-old driver of the Audi was arrested when he handed himself in to police hours after the collision in which Mrs Ryan died.

He is now on police bail. Police are still appealing for witnesses to contact the Collision Investigation Unit on 101 or Crimestoppers, in confidence, on 0800 555 111.

Mrs Ryan’s beloved Birmingham City will pay tribute to her at the club’s next home fixture, against Sheffield Wednesday on September 21.