National Highways
Other
Action Planned
National Highways will investigate road markings, signing, and carriageway layout on the A5, with a view to identifying mitigation measures to reduce injudicious overtaking. Implementation of any measures is subject to funding availability, with the investigation to be completed by 30/06/2026 and implementation in FY 2026-27. (AI summary)
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1
REGULATION 29 RESPONSE TO A REPORT TO PREVENT FUTURE DEATHS THIS RESPONSE IS BEING SENT TO:
The Area Coroner for the coroner area of Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent, Daniel Howe, of Swann House, Boothen Road, Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 4SY in response to a Regulation 28 Report to Prevent Future Deaths following an inquest into the death of Nathan Cyster that concluded on 27 January 2026.
1. NATIONAL HIGHWAYS
I am , Regional Director for the Midlands, National Highways Limited, Three Snowhill, Snowhill Queensway, Birmingham, B4 6GA.
National Highways was not made aware of the inquest, so we did not have an opportunity as the highway authority to assist you by answering questions at the time. However, we welcome the opportunity to address your concern relating to the highway and we hope our response assists.
On behalf of National Highways, I would like to express my deepest condolences to Mr Cyster’s family and friends and those affected by his tragic death.
2. CORONER’S MATTERS OF CONCERN
The MATTERS OF CONCERN raised are as follows:–
1. Hazardous right-turn manoeuvre across multiple lanes and road markings for vehicles exiting Moss Farm Shop when turning right.
2. Absence of left-turn only signage positioned at the exit of Moss Farm Shop.
3. Ineffectiveness of road markings at this location including double solid white lines and hatched areas in preventing prohibited overtaking by vehicles (including motorcycles) travelling from Cannock and the Turf Island towards the Moss Farm junction.
4. Ambiguity in legal guidance regarding right turns across double white lines.
5. In summary, the current road layout, lack of clear signage, ineffective enforcement of road markings, and legal ambiguities potentially create a hazardous environment for road users at the Moss Farm Shop exit.
3. DETAILS OF ACTION TAKEN
1. Right turn manoeuvre exiting Moss Farm Shop - To be answered by Moss Farm Shop. National Highways is not responsible for the control of traffic exiting a private business and is therefore unable to assist on this point.
2. Signage at exit of Moss Farm Shop - To be answered by Moss Farm Shop. National Highways is not responsible for signing located within private premises and is therefore unable to assist on this point.
3. Road markings on the A5 All Purpose Trunk Road (APTR) – National Highways Road Safety Engineers conducted a site visit to this location on 9th February 2026 to observe traffic movements, particularly any occurrences of overtaking in contravention of the double white line system. Further to this site visit engineers have undertaken an initial discussion of the results of the site observations on the 10th February 2026.
4. Legal guidance regarding right turns across double white lines - To be answered by the Department for Transport. National Highways is not responsible for the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions (TSRGD) traffic signs guidance or the Highway Code.
4. DETAILS OF FURTHER ACTION PROPOSED
2 3 – Road Markings on the A5 All Purpose Trunk Road at the location
We will investigate the location to establish if any measures can be identified to reduce the occurrence of injudicious overtaking by drivers in contravention of the double white line system. This investigation will be restricted to the A5 within our jurisdiction and will cover road markings, signing and carriageway layout.
The implementation of any potential mitigation measures identified is subject to internal funding being made available based on the prioritised need of the Midlands Region as a whole.
The responsibility for enforcement of the double white line system sits with Staffordshire Police.
5. TIMETABLE FOR ACTION DATE ACTION
By 30/06/2026 Complete the investigation into the road markings, signing and carriageway layout with a view to identifying any mitigation measures. FY 2026-27 Implement any identified measures, subject to internal funding being made available based on the prioritised need of the Midlands Region.
6.
SAFETY OF ROAD USERS
The safety of everyone on our road network matters; it is an imperative for our business in what we set out to achieve and a core value of our organisation.
Every death on our roads is a tragic loss of life and we again offer our deepest sympathies to all those affected by Mr Cyster’s death.
23rd March 2026
Signed:
Regional Director for the Midlands
REGULATION 29 RESPONSE TO A REPORT TO PREVENT FUTURE DEATHS THIS RESPONSE IS BEING SENT TO:
The Area Coroner for the coroner area of Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent, Daniel Howe, of Swann House, Boothen Road, Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 4SY in response to a Regulation 28 Report to Prevent Future Deaths following an inquest into the death of Nathan Cyster that concluded on 27 January 2026.
1. NATIONAL HIGHWAYS
I am , Regional Director for the Midlands, National Highways Limited, Three Snowhill, Snowhill Queensway, Birmingham, B4 6GA.
National Highways was not made aware of the inquest, so we did not have an opportunity as the highway authority to assist you by answering questions at the time. However, we welcome the opportunity to address your concern relating to the highway and we hope our response assists.
On behalf of National Highways, I would like to express my deepest condolences to Mr Cyster’s family and friends and those affected by his tragic death.
2. CORONER’S MATTERS OF CONCERN
The MATTERS OF CONCERN raised are as follows:–
1. Hazardous right-turn manoeuvre across multiple lanes and road markings for vehicles exiting Moss Farm Shop when turning right.
2. Absence of left-turn only signage positioned at the exit of Moss Farm Shop.
3. Ineffectiveness of road markings at this location including double solid white lines and hatched areas in preventing prohibited overtaking by vehicles (including motorcycles) travelling from Cannock and the Turf Island towards the Moss Farm junction.
4. Ambiguity in legal guidance regarding right turns across double white lines.
5. In summary, the current road layout, lack of clear signage, ineffective enforcement of road markings, and legal ambiguities potentially create a hazardous environment for road users at the Moss Farm Shop exit.
3. DETAILS OF ACTION TAKEN
1. Right turn manoeuvre exiting Moss Farm Shop - To be answered by Moss Farm Shop. National Highways is not responsible for the control of traffic exiting a private business and is therefore unable to assist on this point.
2. Signage at exit of Moss Farm Shop - To be answered by Moss Farm Shop. National Highways is not responsible for signing located within private premises and is therefore unable to assist on this point.
3. Road markings on the A5 All Purpose Trunk Road (APTR) – National Highways Road Safety Engineers conducted a site visit to this location on 9th February 2026 to observe traffic movements, particularly any occurrences of overtaking in contravention of the double white line system. Further to this site visit engineers have undertaken an initial discussion of the results of the site observations on the 10th February 2026.
4. Legal guidance regarding right turns across double white lines - To be answered by the Department for Transport. National Highways is not responsible for the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions (TSRGD) traffic signs guidance or the Highway Code.
4. DETAILS OF FURTHER ACTION PROPOSED
2 3 – Road Markings on the A5 All Purpose Trunk Road at the location
We will investigate the location to establish if any measures can be identified to reduce the occurrence of injudicious overtaking by drivers in contravention of the double white line system. This investigation will be restricted to the A5 within our jurisdiction and will cover road markings, signing and carriageway layout.
The implementation of any potential mitigation measures identified is subject to internal funding being made available based on the prioritised need of the Midlands Region as a whole.
The responsibility for enforcement of the double white line system sits with Staffordshire Police.
5. TIMETABLE FOR ACTION DATE ACTION
By 30/06/2026 Complete the investigation into the road markings, signing and carriageway layout with a view to identifying any mitigation measures. FY 2026-27 Implement any identified measures, subject to internal funding being made available based on the prioritised need of the Midlands Region.
6.
SAFETY OF ROAD USERS
The safety of everyone on our road network matters; it is an imperative for our business in what we set out to achieve and a core value of our organisation.
Every death on our roads is a tragic loss of life and we again offer our deepest sympathies to all those affected by Mr Cyster’s death.
23rd March 2026
Signed:
Regional Director for the Midlands