Samuel Wilson died after a van was driven at a group of people
A mother whose son was killed by a van driver in Ilkeston town centre has welcomed plans to install permanent bollards in the spot where he died.
Loraine Wilson's son Samuel, 26, died in December 2023 when Zac Newman drove a van into a group in Market Place. He was later convicted of murder.
Wilson previously said she had been "blanked" by Derbyshire County Council in her campaign for safety improvements but following a meeting with highways bosses, the authority said the installation of bollards in the area was an "important step" to improve safety.
"I'm going to keep on with this, my son was murdered and it shouldn't have happened," she said.
Dozens of bollards are already in place in Market Square and traffic is completely banned between 10:00 and 16:00, but vehicles are allowed in for access at other times.
Wilson has called for the bollards to be made permanent along with other safety improvements.
She said the council had committed to bollards at the point of access where Newman drove his van at son between The King's Head and Sir John Warren pubs but there were "three other access points that need addressing".
Labour MP for Erewash, Adam Thompson, said Market Place was legally not a road but had been routinely used as such and he had previously approached Google and Apple about removing the route from their maps.
"I feel a little bit more encouraged because at least something is now being done," Wilson said.
"I don't want to be negative and say, nothing's been done, but we need more, we need a lot more and we're not going to stop until we achieve what we set out to do."
Loraine Wilson says what happened to her son could have been prevented
Wilson said her son had been waiting for a taxi when Newman – who the trial judge said had been seeking trouble while under the influence of cocaine and alcohol – retrieved his work van from a nearby car park and drove towards the group.
In July 2024, Newman was jailed for life with a minimum term of 24 years.
Thompson, who attended the meeting between Wilson and the council, said he was "grateful" to the authority for "finally taking action".
"I hope that we can go forward working together productively and in good faith for Ilkeston and its people," he said.
"There is still a long way to go, and things need to change, but undeniably this is a major step forward."
Existing bollards in Ilkeston guide drivers but do not block access
Charlotte Hill, the council's cabinet member for highways, said: "The incident that took place in Ilkeston was a heinous crime that tragically cost a young man's life. Samuel's family have campaigned tirelessly to improve the safety of Ilkeston Market Place and we are listening.
"The installation of the bollards at Ilkeston Market Place is an important step but physical barriers are only part of a wider solution.
"Visible deterrents provided by an active police presence, enforcing the pedestrian only zone, would help to combat the number of cars ignoring the pedestrian only areas.
"Other barriers have previously been removed around the Market Place, that belong to Erewash Borough Council, and as the need to improve the safety of the area for pedestrians grows we hope to see these utilised once more in the future."
Erewash Borough Council has been contacted for comment.
Tell us which stories we should cover in Derby
Listen to BBC Radio Derby on Sounds and follow BBC Derby on Facebook, external, on X, external, or on Instagram, external. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@bbc.co.uk, external or via WhatsApp, external on 0808 100 2210.
Mother 'blanked' over road safety pleas after murder
Man's van ramming murder prompts bollards campaign
Van driver jailed for life for footballer's murder
Derbyshire council agrees road safety measures for 'scared' village
Derbyshire drink driver crashed into his neighbour's home – and fled to pub car park
Villages set for major expansion in bid for hundreds of new homes
Chesterfield law firm BRM raises over £9,000 for Blythe House Hospice through Wills Month
Buxton Business Club to celebrate first anniversary
High Peak floral designer wins UK Florist of the Year and People’s Choice award
Watch our pick of standout clips from across the BBC
Call for partial curfews across France after protests as Vinted says it's removing looted items
Are the French riots a warning of an intense election to come?
Australian MP critically injured after being hit by car in apparent attack
'We didn't know a cold sore could kill a baby'
The portraits that helped bring the lost Aberfan children home
Inside the shadowy world of anti-Putin sabotage from within Russia
Don't fall for this – how to protect yourself from AI scams
'It gives me the ick': Can you cheat on someone with a video game?
The playground murder: Trauma, loss and a love that endured
Learning to read in my 80s has changed my life
Making murder fun: How the Traitors' soundtrack sets the tone
US Politics Unspun: Cut through the noise with Anthony Zurcher's newsletter
Here for the History explores the origins of modern toilets
Discover the very first people to land on the British Isles
The Wonder Starts Here. First look at Sir David Attenborough's Blue Planet III
What would Miles Jupp banish to Room 101
Kenya cult leader who told parents to starve children guilty of 191 murders
Australian MP critically injured after being hit by car in apparent attack
Apu returns to The Simpsons with new voice after race row
Possible wreckage of Amelia Earhart's plane likely to be trees, say researchers
Tennis star Svitolina says emotional toll of Ukraine war led to Monfils separation
Woman says she 'closed eyes and tried not to be there' during alleged Russell Brand rape
Trial hears Robinson 'intimidated' Daily Mail reporters
Kylie Jenner's debut at Victoria's Secret Fashion Show in $50m bra sparks mixed reaction
Mission set to blast off for Mars to grab a piece of its moon
Ex-OpenAI worker accused of planting device had Saudi support says court filing
Copyright © 2026 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.
About the Author
