Ary Ahmed has been the driving force behind Safer Streets for Hartlepool Children in 2025
(Image: Goffy Media)
A barbershop boss has been the driving force behind a £30k campaign to install a crossing for kids. Ary Ahmed, owner of Ary’s Men’s Hairdressing Salon, in Murray Street, Hartlepool, recognised the dangers facing children walking to Lynnfield Primary School on nearby Elcho Street, and became the instigator of a campaign to make the street safer.
Through persistence and commitment, Ary, a familiar face in the town for more than a decade, pushed for traffic-calming measures, including a zebra crossing, wide spread speed cushions and prominent signage alerts, totally transforming a dangerous section of the road. This was on top of running a thriving local business.
Ary said: “It was great to see the work unfold later in the year (2025) and then to see the end result. Parents have called by the shop to thank me and to say that lots of fear has been erased this year – lovely Christmas cards and warm wishes too!
“Before the changes, it was a hugely dangerous crossing. Murray Street has a history of accidents, and some of the speeds I’ve witnessed have been nothing short of alarming. Without the significant changes, I dread to think of the consequences that would have materialised.
“It’s a much calmer place now, as drivers have little option but to carefully monitor their speed. For generations to come, these changes in 2025 will be hugely significant.”
The improvements have been welcomed by Lynnfield Primary School, and headteacher Carolyn Lakin, who said: “Parents are telling us how delighted they are with the crossing, and pupils themselves say it makes them feel much safer. It has been a real positive for the whole community.”
While Hartlepool Council and Councillor Karen Oliver supported the project, Ary was the driving force behind bringing residents, the school, and the council together to make the changes happen. The crossing, which cost around £30,000, is now a permanent feature of Murray Street, helping keep children safe for years to come. Alongside this, Ary’s Murray Street salon continues to operate successfully, remaining a hub for conversation, community support, and connection for residents.
(Image: Goffy Media)