Chestfield Borough Council
Local Authority
Action Taken
Following a death, Chesterfield Borough Council closed the top floor of a car park and installed full-height, heavy-duty gates and fencing to prevent unauthorized access. Suicide prevention measures were also built into the construction of a newer car park. (AI summary)
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Dear Mr. Nieto, RESPONSE TO REGULATION 28 REPORT TO PREVENT FUTURE DEATHS This is Chesterfield Borough Council’s response to your report made under paragraph 7, schedule 5, of the Coroners and Justice Act 2009 and Regulations 28 and 29 of the Coroners (Investigations) Regulations 2013, dated 23 October 2025, following the tragic death of Mr. Saranveer Singh Sihota on 23 February 2024.
We extend our deepest sympathies to the family of Mr. Sihota and also thank you for your conduct of the inquest and for your identification of matters of concern.
Within your report you raise concerns about the top floor of having a relatively low wall and that given the height of the top floor there appears to be a clear risk that, either deliberately or accidentally, people might fall to the ground with high chance of death. You have asked us to consider actions we have taken or could take to prevent future deaths at this site.
Chesterfield Borough Council undertook a full investigation following the tragic death of Mr. Sihota, focusing on what measures could be taken to prevent future death or injury. first opened in 1981, with all floors including the top floor being used for car parking. Following Mr. Sihota’s death, the top floor of the car park was closed to the public immediately utilising temporary fencing.
A full closure scheme with enhanced suicide prevention measures was then developed to prevent any unauthorised access to the top floor permanently. This included the installation of full height, heavy duty gates and fencing. The permanent enhanced closure for the top floor of the car park was completed in March 2024.The following photos have been supplied to show the suicide prevention measures installed: Photos 1, 2 and 3 show the heavy duty fencing installed to prevent members of the public from climbing on ledges to reach the top floor of the car park Photos 4 and 5 show the use of heavy duty fencing to close gaps between the sixth floor and top floor Photos 6 and 7 show the heavy duty locked gates installed to prevent members of the public from accessing the car ramp to the top floor of the car park
In addition to the , Chesterfield Borough Council owns a multi-storey car park at which opened in July 2019. In the 38 years between the construction of the two car parks, construction standards have changed significantly, and suicide prevention measures were built into the construction of the new Saltergate car park.
Once again, we would like to take the opportunity to thank you for highlighting these matters of concern, and for giving us the opportunity to respond. We will continue to regularly review the effectiveness of the suicide prevention schemes at both sites.
We extend our deepest sympathies to the family of Mr. Sihota and also thank you for your conduct of the inquest and for your identification of matters of concern.
Within your report you raise concerns about the top floor of having a relatively low wall and that given the height of the top floor there appears to be a clear risk that, either deliberately or accidentally, people might fall to the ground with high chance of death. You have asked us to consider actions we have taken or could take to prevent future deaths at this site.
Chesterfield Borough Council undertook a full investigation following the tragic death of Mr. Sihota, focusing on what measures could be taken to prevent future death or injury. first opened in 1981, with all floors including the top floor being used for car parking. Following Mr. Sihota’s death, the top floor of the car park was closed to the public immediately utilising temporary fencing.
A full closure scheme with enhanced suicide prevention measures was then developed to prevent any unauthorised access to the top floor permanently. This included the installation of full height, heavy duty gates and fencing. The permanent enhanced closure for the top floor of the car park was completed in March 2024.The following photos have been supplied to show the suicide prevention measures installed: Photos 1, 2 and 3 show the heavy duty fencing installed to prevent members of the public from climbing on ledges to reach the top floor of the car park Photos 4 and 5 show the use of heavy duty fencing to close gaps between the sixth floor and top floor Photos 6 and 7 show the heavy duty locked gates installed to prevent members of the public from accessing the car ramp to the top floor of the car park
In addition to the , Chesterfield Borough Council owns a multi-storey car park at which opened in July 2019. In the 38 years between the construction of the two car parks, construction standards have changed significantly, and suicide prevention measures were built into the construction of the new Saltergate car park.
Once again, we would like to take the opportunity to thank you for highlighting these matters of concern, and for giving us the opportunity to respond. We will continue to regularly review the effectiveness of the suicide prevention schemes at both sites.