Road safety campaigning Merseyside mother receives MBE from Prince William

Pauline Fielding successfully campaigned to reduce the speed limit on a Wirral road where her son was killed and has been fighting for wider road safety for decades.
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A dedicated campaigner from Merseyside has received an MBE for her tireless efforts to reduce danger on the roads and help others.

Pauline Fielding, 76, was presented with the honour by the Duke of Cambridge at Windsor Castle for her services to road safety.

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Mother-of-three Pauline, from Heswall, started campaigning for justice after her son Andrew, 18, was killed in a collision when travelling to a football match with friends in 1994.

Pauline Fielding with her MBE outside Windsor Castle. Image: Christine Fielding/RoadPeacePauline Fielding with her MBE outside Windsor Castle. Image: Christine Fielding/RoadPeace
Pauline Fielding with her MBE outside Windsor Castle. Image: Christine Fielding/RoadPeace

Andrew swerved to avoid a car which cut across his path on the A540 Chester High Road in Neston at the junction with Raby Park Road.

The driver of the car did not stop and was never found.

Since Andrew’s death, Pauline, a trustee of charity RoadPeace and North West group coordinator, has been campaigning for changes at the junction and has successfully managed to get the speed limit on the road reduced from 60mph to 40mph.

MBE dedicated to son

Andrew Fielding with his brothers. Image: Pauline FieldingAndrew Fielding with his brothers. Image: Pauline Fielding
Andrew Fielding with his brothers. Image: Pauline Fielding

Pauline, who attended the Windsor Castle ceremony with her husband David, said: “I dedicate this award to my eldest son, Andrew, who was killed in a crash caused by a person who did not stop at the scene and who was never traced.

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“I would like to take this opportunity to thank my wonderful family, friends, RoadPeace and the many organisations I have worked with, as well as the community, who have helped and supported me since Andrew died. My sincere thanks to you all.”

Campaigning and assisting bereaved families

In 2019, Pauline and other concerned local residents formed the Action54Zero group, campaigning for safety improvements along the A540.

Cheshire West and Cheshire Council announced in March 2021 that it was committed to improving safety at the junctions with Raby Park Road and Quarry Road through the council’s £3 million capital programme with a plan to complete the scheme by 2023.

Pauline has also helped numerous bereaved families across Merseyside after setting up RoadPeace North West with Margaret Highton, whose granddaughter was run over and killed.

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The group works alongside the Merseyside Road Safety Partnership, bringing together the police, emergency services and local council to reduce death and injury on the road.

As well as the monthly meetings, which have been continuing online during the pandemic, Pauline organises two remembrance services every year in Liverpool.

The first service is held in Liverpool Cathedral on 31 August, the anniversary of the death of Diana, Princess of Wales.

The second is held in St George’s Hall, on the third Sunday of November, to mark the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims.

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Over the past three years Pauline and RoadPeace North West have also been working with the LFC Foundation to promote road safety among young footballers.

MBE ‘thoroughly deserved’

The MBE award was announced in the New Years Honours list in December 2020 and the ceremony at Windsor Castle was delayed until 2022 due to the pandemic.

Nick Simmons, RoadPeace CEO said: “Everyone at RoadPeace is delighted that Pauline has received her thoroughly well deserved MBE.

“Alongside campaigning for safer roads, she has done so much for crash victims and their families. The RoadPeace North West group has provided a source of comfort for so many people in the region. RoadPeace would not be the organisation it is without her, and her work as a trustee and group coordinator is immensely valued. Congratulations Pauline.”