THOSE who lost their lives on Warwickshire’s roads are being remembered at a special service.
Warwickshire Road Safety Partnership is inviting residents of all faiths to a service to remember those whose lives have been lost or injured on roads across the county.
The service will take place at St Mary’s Church in Warwick at 3pm on Sunday November 19 – the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims.
The one hour service is open to everyone, and is an opportunity to gather together to personally remember a loved one, friend or relative and to collectively show commitment and support for safer roads in Warwickshire. Civic leaders, representatives from the emergency services and key road safety partners have also been invited.
The service will start promptly at 3pm with opening remarks from Canon Peter Holliday with the lighting of a candle and welcome from faith leaders.
Meera Naran MBE, a high-profile independent road safety campaigner whose son Dev Naran was killed in May 2018, aged eight, on the M6’s hard shoulder will share her thoughts about ‘The Voice of the Victim’.
Chair of Warwickshire Road Safety Partnership and Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Seccombe will also share his ‘Reflections on Loss’ and the far reaching and enduring consequences of a collision.
After closing remarks and blessing, The BIG Sing Choir will be performing as the service comes to a close.
Philip Seccombe said “The service at St Mary’s has become a poignant opportunity each year to come together and remember all those who have lost their lives on our county’s roads, or who have been affected by a serious injury collision. It allows the whole community to show support and solidarity for those left behind to deal with the consequences.
“This year, the service also marks the 30th anniversary of the M40 minibus crash near Warwick, that claimed the lives of 12 school children and their teacher on 18 November 1993. It was one of the worst collisions ever seen on Warwickshire’s roads and we will be taking time to remember the victims and their families and to reflect on the ongoing sense of loss.
“The service also acts as a reminder to us that all deaths and injuries on our roads can be prevented and that we all have a responsibility to use the highway network safely. Warwickshire Road Safety Partnership has set a target of halving all road casualties in the county by 2030 and, ultimately, we want to get to a position where no-one has to suffer the devastating consequences of a loss or serious injury.”
