Our incredibly brave West Midlands Group member, Julie, read her poem ‘You Never Came Home’ at our Service of Remembrance. Julie wrote her poem in memory of her husband, Kevin, following his tragic loss.

Roadworks, roadworks, what a pain
Bright orange cones glistening in the rain
Oh why oh why do I have to go so slow
I have things to do, places to go

Roadworks, roadworks, what a pain
Hundreds of cars and only one lane
What exactly is happening? Why don’t you know
that I have things to do, places to go.

Roadworks, roadworks, what a pain
Too many drivers all feeling the same
Impatient, frustrated, we’ve all had enough
Red crosses over lanes on the gantry above.

Roadworks, roadworks, what a pain
I’ll just swing into the empty red cross lane
I’ll just put my foot down and gather up speed
No reason not to, lane’s closed for no need.

Roadworks, roadworks, what a pain
Men in Hi-Vis in the closed empty lane
What are they doing? I don’t suppose I know
that they have work to do, places to go.

Roadworks, roadworks, oh what a pain
Quick, better just swing back into the open lane
The drivers who followed me, their efforts concerted
to follow my action, phew..disaster averted.

Roadworks, roadworks, oh what a pain
Miles of red signs glistening in the rain
They’re not there for fun, or to make the road pretty
They carry a message that is far more gritty

Roadworks, roadworks, oh what a pain
Men in Hi-Vis working in the closed lane
They’re husbands & fathers, they have families you know
They have things to do, places to go.

Motorists, motorists, some are a pain
Speeding through roadworks for a few minutes gain
Their actions are lethal, so it has to be known
That a man in Hi-Vis may never go home.

Car drivers, racers, your speeds climbing higher
A neat row of cones won’t damage your tyres
A neat row of cones will protect from your fire
That neat row of cones is an incredible liar.

To all other services, the same rules apply,
closed lanes are not places for someone to die
Nothing can justify ending a roadworkers life
And the terrible news that is served on his wife.

Speed is lethal, too many times we have known
That a man in Hi-Vis never went home.

For Kevin TSCO. Husband, step dad, father in law, grandad, brother, uncle & friend.
With love

Updated on: 4 March 2025