People 'finding it funny' to speed on road where Harry Parker died

Harry Parker, 14, was on his way to Nova Hreod Academy on November 25, when he was hit by a car at the crossing on Akers Way and then later died from his injuries, just days before his 15th birthday.

His family, who have spoken of their grief following his death, have since launched a new campaign called Harry's Get Home Safely, which is aiming to initially make roads around Swindon's schools safer.

A memorial for Harry Parker is still present on railings near the Akers Way crossing to Nova Hreod Academy where he was hit by a car that then drove off, and later died from his injuries (Image: Newsquest)

As part of this Harry's father, Adam Parker has paid for and installed new banners on barriers near the school crossing encouraging drivers to go 20mph instead of 30mph. 

Swindon Borough Council have also installed flashing 20mph lights that are active during school drop-off and pick-up times. 

Adam has also spent the last few weeks going out to Akers Way to stand by his son's roadside memorial during these times and help children cross that area safely. 

"I've been coming down just to make sure that the kids are using the crossing safely, and encouraging drivers to slow down.

"I've been coming out at half past seven as best I could really because the teachers don't come out until eight o'clock and there's a lot of children that come out and drift into school so I want to make sure they're captured and are using the crossing safely, and it's been good."

Read More: Parents call for major overhaul of all school-side roads after death

He said that during this time a lot of drivers have been respectful and have driven carefully near the school, but despite everything that has happened some have not, which is distressing to see. 

New 20mph banners have been installed on barriers near the Akers Way crossing for Nova Hreod Academy by the Parker family as part of their new Harry's Get Home Safely campaign (Image: Newsquest)

"Most of them have been respectful, I think they realise that the children’s safety has been paramount, and it’s been nice, and some people tip their hat or wave, or acknowledge themselves which is really nice.

“But unfortunately, we have still got a few people that find it funny, or amusing, or – I don’t know what – to rev their engines or drive fast, and I just think it’s pointless,” he said.

 “I really hope that nothing happens, for you to hit somebody. Because travelling at the speed that you are, at 30mph you have a 20 per cent chance of killing somebody, anything above that just increases dramatically.

"At 20mph you have a 2.5 per cent of killing someone so please, even if you don’t take away anything else, just don’t have this on your conscience, just slow down."

Harry Parker, 14, was killed on Akers Way in a suspected hit-and-run while just outside of his school (Image: Newsquest)