Glasgow junction where cyclist killed was 'accident waiting to happen'

Rose Marie Burke and John Newman have spoken out following the sentencing of Paul Mowat – who had admitted to causing the death of Emma Burke Newman by careless driving.

We previously told how Emma, 22, was rushed to hospital after the crash at 10am on January 27, 2023, at the junction of Broomielaw and the King George V Bridge, but sadly died around an hour later.

Emma and her mum Rose (Image: Supplied)“When I first saw the junction, I thought ‘this is an accident waiting to happen',” Rose said.

“This was bound to happen and in fact GoBike, I think as early as 2019, pointed out to Glasgow City Council how dangerous that junction was, and nothing had been done.

“We're working with the council and we're happy that maybe by this time next year, there's going to be a much safer junction put in place with a dedicated cycle lane.”

Rose said she has noticed problems with the active travel infrastructure in the city, but also progress – including the junction at the Clutha Bar, which has been made safer.

In court on Thursday, Mowat was sentenced to 100 hours of unpaid work and was disqualified from driving for one year.

“There’s no closure,” Rose said.

“I'm going to live with this for the rest of my life and have to learn how to deal with it.

“It's just that all of the anxiety and worry about the criminal proceedings will be over.”

John added: “There are still civil avenues to pursue and then there will be political avenues to pursue in support of better cycling infrastructure and more awareness, so this was just the first phase of many.

“The criminal phase is over. But it's not over. There's so much more to do. And we feel like we have to do it.”

Emma with her mum and dad (Image: Supplied)At the sentencing hearing, Mowat’s lawyer Gareth Reid revealed his client, who was described as a hardworking man, has been “haunted by the incident” ever since.

He told the court that Mowat, 69, held Emma’s hand and reassured her help was on the way in the moments after the crash.

Rose said: “This does bring some comfort. I was touched that he held my daughter's hand and spoke to her. That was the first time I heard this.

“But nothing can bring our daughter back. It’s been terrible. It turns your life upside down.”

John added: “Our lives have become much smaller, less bright, less joyous and frankly, more fatigued.”

Rose and John are urging drivers to pay particular attention to vulnerable road users, including 'getting behind' bike boxes, letting cyclists through safely and giving them space.

“The driver took away Emma’s safe space and caused a fatal accident,” Rose said.

“We want the roads to be safer. Not even just for cyclists, but drivers too. No driver wants to be in that dock.

“We would like to encourage people, if they're interested in safer roads, to join their local cycling club, Cycling UK or GoBike.

"Emma lived in Shawlands, and there's the Shawlands Bike Bus so we hope to join them one day.

“We want people to get on bikes because there's safety in numbers, the more people that are out there, the safer it will become. It's like this virtuous cycle and that's our vision; that's what we hope for.”

Emma at work on a project with her work New Practice in 2022. (Image: Supplied)Emma, originally from France, was an experienced cyclist and had only lived in Glasgow for around four months.

She was an architecture student at The Glasgow School of Art.

Her devastated parents say she is remembered for her smile, her hugs, and her passion for life.

A Glasgow City Council spokesperson said: “We are aware of the conviction and sentencing of the driver in this tragic case.

“Following their investigation, police indicated to us there were no roads-related issues at the junction that required to be addressed by the council. 

“However, as part of wider work to enhance active travel infrastructure along Broomielaw, we are currently working on improving the junction at King George V Bridge.

“These proposed improvements will include segregated lanes for cycling and a dedicated phase at the traffic signals for active travel with work due to be completed later this year.”