NEWS

Band of hope for dualling the A47

14 November 2005 08:38

Family and friends of David Jackson gather for the launch of a new Dual the A47 wristband.

This brightly-coloured ring of rubber could be a lifesaver.

The little wristband embodies the strength of a community's determination that no more lives should be lost on a stretch of the A47.

Friends and relatives of crash victim David Jackson, 19, gathered at Mattishall, near Dereham, yesterday for the official launch of the band, which comes in David's favourite colour - an eye-catching bright pink.

Emma Gagen, 22, who came up with the idea with her brother Philip, 19, one of David's closest friends, said it was designed to raise both awareness of the urgent need for improvements to the road and funds for a memorial to David in Mattishall Social Club.

She said she hoped the band would encourage more people to support David's mother Andrea in her campaign to improve the single carriageway stretch of the road which links Norwich and Dereham .

Andrea Jackson, 41, has battled for improvements to the road since her son's death last month in a five-vehicle crash at the junction where Mattishall road meets the A47.

The accident was the 12th major crash on the road since 2001.

Wristbands with a message.

Nearly 5000 people have signed Mrs Jackson's petition, which she plans to deliver to number 10, demanding Government action so people living around Mattishall, Honingham and Colton can get on to the road safely.

And the latest weapon in the campaign arsenal is the pink bands which are already visible on dozens of wrists around Mattishall.

Yesterday, Emma said: “Ideally we would like to see the stretch dualled, but just building a roundabout so people could get on to the road would be fantastic.”

She said the entire village had been shocked by David's death and plans were afoot for a memorial to him in the social club where the Mattishall Boys, a close-knit group of friends he was at the centre of, once drank.

Emma said: “David was just a lovely guy, he was such a happy person who was never in a bad mood, never annoyed and never moaning.”

The memorial was likely to be a glass cabinet with a picture of David as well as personal items such as his beloved Ipswich Town football shirt.

There was an initial supply of 1300 bands, 1000 for adults and 300 for children, with which she hopes to raise about £1000, and the suppliers are ready to step in with more.

For your A47 awareness band send a stamped addressed envelope, with a cheque for £1.50 to Emma Gagen, 4 Rayners Close, Mattishall, NR20 3NH.

The bands are also available at Mattishall Social Club, the Swan pub on Dereham Road, Mattishall, or Mattishall News, also on Dereham Road.

To sign Mrs Jackson's petition, e-mail your name and address to Mattishall A47 campaigner Ray Taylor at ray@mattishall-village.co.uk.

People without access to e-mail can sign a copy in Chambers newsagent in Dereham Market Place.

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