Road Traffic Victims Remembered On International Day

A special remembrance tree is to open in Redditch, as town landmarks light up purple to mark World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims.

The tree, supported by RoadPeace, a charity for road crash victims, aims to provide a space for visitors to write tributes to loved ones lost or injured in road traffic collisions.

Afterwards, the messages will be compiled into a book of remembrance.

The tree will be at the Boathouse Café, in Arrow Valley Countryside Centre, from Friday (November 14) for two weeks.

It comes ahead of World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims on Sunday (November 16), when the town’s iconic Palace Theatre, Bartleet Fountain, and Bandstand will also be lit up in purple in support.

Held on the third Sunday of every November, the global event is to remember the many millions who have been killed and seriously injured on the world’s roads and acknowledge the suffering of all affected victims, families and communities.

Lucy Harrison, Justice and Outreach Manager for RoadPeace, said: “Thank you Redditch for your support. We remember those whose lives have been taken or changed forever, and continue to call for more action to prevent further tragedies on our roads.”

Rubicon Leisure, a local authority trading company, owned by Redditch Borough Council and which operates the countryside centre on its behalf, is hosting the tree.

Ben Clawson-Chan, Managing Director of Rubicon Leisure, added: “We’re proud to host this tree and support the work of the RoadPeace charity. If you want to leave a tribute of your own, you will be most welcome.”

Councillors voted in September to support local RoadPeace groups in the initiative.

Cllr Monica Stringfellow, Redditch Borough Council’s Portfolio Holder for Community Services and Safeguarding Responsibilities, said: “This council acknowledges the terrible impact of road traffic collisions on so many people, victims, families, communities, the emergency services. This tree offers a way for people to leave their messages of love and remembrance.”