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Renewed safety calls a year after dog killed
The couple with baby Woody, new pet Beamish and a picture of Murphy
The couple with baby Woody, new pet Beamish and a picture of Murphy

The owners of a puppy which was mown down and killed in a borough park are still calling for safety improvements at the scene - a year after the accident.

Wayne and Emma Veysey's nine-month-old cocker spaniel Murphy was knocked over by a Group 4 Securicor van outside Marble Hill House in Marble Hill Park, Twickenham, on May 9, 2007.

Following the incident, the couple, of York Road, Teddington, campaigned for improvements to be made, collecting a petition with over 1,000 signatures. However, as the anniversary of their pooch's death approaches, the pair, who now have a new dog called Beamish, feel English Hertitage, which owns the park, has not done enough to enhance safety.

Mrs Veysey said: "Cars are still going down there fast and there are no new signs. It's coming up to the summer so there will be more kids down there which will make it more dangerous.

"We loved him Murphy to pieces. If it was a child they English Heritage would be taking different measures. He was like a child to us though.

"There's one speed hump now but it's not making much difference. We need more all the way down the path up to the house."

A spokeswoman for English Heritage said a risk assessment was carried out following the accident last year and a new speed hump was put in at the corner of the coach house.

She said: "Two traffic surveys were completed on May 30 and January 22. As a result of the surveys the Marble Hill ranger team has increasedits patrols in this area during busier times."

She added that a letter was issued to all suppliers that access the site to reinforce the 5mph speed restrictions.

English Hertitage also agreed to fund a memorial to Murphy.

However, Mrs Veysey, who now has a four-month-old baby, Woody, said she was upset it would not be in place in time for the anniversary.

The English Heritage spokeswoman added: "Unfortunately, we have experienced supply issues with the commemorative drinking trough, but we have ensured that there has been regular communication between the team and Murphy's owner to keep them up-to-date. We do aim to have the base laid and plaque installed for the memorial day."

2:17pm Tuesday 6th May 2008

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Posted by: Roger Jones, Manchester on 5:29pm Mon 5 May 08
Letting a puppy run loose by in a built and expecting traffic to slow down for it?? Common sense does obviously not prevail.
Posted by: Sarah Creswell, Twickenham on 5:33pm Mon 5 May 08
I suggest you look after your animals Mr and Mrs Veysey because letting a 9 month puppy run freely where there is road traffic does not suggest common sense was used.
Posted by: Fiona, Mortlake on 5:00pm Tue 6 May 08
It was in a park.....when the van came speeding along to pick up English Heritages profits.....the van shouldve been driving with due care and attention whilst driving in an OPEN PUBLIC SPACE. My sympathies to Mr + Mrs Veysey because they are right it could have easily been a child. The previous comments are rather stupid. Next time you are at Marble Hill House wandering through the open grounds....open your eyes and look.....you will see children...dogs...bi
cycles..and people relaxing away from traffic.
Posted by: emm, uk on 7:13pm Tue 6 May 08
Fiona wrote:
It was in a park.....when the van came speeding along to pick up English Heritages profits.....the van shouldve been driving with due care and attention whilst driving in an OPEN PUBLIC SPACE. My sympathies to Mr + Mrs Veysey because they are right it could have easily been a child. The previous comments are rather stupid. Next time you are at Marble Hill House wandering through the open grounds....open your eyes and look.....you will see children...dogs...bi cycles..and people relaxing away from traffic.
thats just rediculus, you can teach a child that cars may not stop in time, but you cant with a dog.
its realy not hard to keep a dog on the lead, untill you reach a safer area
Posted by: Ricky, Sheen on 11:59am Wed 7 May 08
We visited this one last year. If dog owners were more considerate there'd be a lot fewer accidents, involving mess, bites and scares. Let's see enclosures for dog-owners.
Posted by: andy, twickenham on 12:36pm Wed 7 May 08
whilst I agree that everyone needs to drive with care, YOU need to be aware that vehicles are in the park and be on your gaurd. Fiona - what a crass comment abt the van picking up profits. English Heritage is a charity, rightly charge people for entrance into the house and some other activities. Theoretically, they could also charge you for using the park, instead of using it for free. Common sense should prevail on the part of all users. It's a shame that because of irresponsible dog owners, that English Hert. have to provide an enclosure for children only. Ricky - I agree, keep the dogs in an enclosure and let everyone else have free range
Posted by: ric, kingston on 9:00am Thu 8 May 08
did the van drive along a road or on the grass.

if its the road then its the owners fault

if its the grass its the van drivers fault.

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