Source · Prevention of Future Deaths

Anthony Paine

Ref: 2025-0013 Date: 9 Jan 2025 Coroner: Nicholas Graham Area: Oxfordshire 1 response identified · 1 indexed addressee View PDF

AI-generated concerns summaryThe coroner raised concerns that the 30 mph speed limit on A361 North Bar Street may be too high, given the road's characteristics, pedestrian volume, and obscured visibility of a crossing. A slower speed might have mitigated the collision.

Date 9 Jan 2025

56-day deadline 6 Mar 2025 stated in the report

Responses identified 1 of 1

Road (Highways Safety) related deaths

Coroner's concerns

AI summary

The coroner raised concerns that the 30 mph speed limit on A361 North Bar Street may be too high, given the road's characteristics, pedestrian volume, and obscured visibility of a crossing. A slower speed might have mitigated the collision.

View full coroner's concerns

In the circumstances it is my statutory duty to make this report to you.

in relation to the following:

• The speed limit on the A361 North Bar Street at the location of the collision is 30 mph. There was a concern expressed at the Inquest that this speed limit may be too high, given the characteristics of the road and the volume of pedestrian traffic in the area.
• The A361 at this location is a long, straight, single carriageway with one lane in each direction. Traveling southbound, the pedestrian crossing is approached from a gradual rise in the road from Banbury Cross Roundabout, some 150 meters away. The rise in the road obscures the view of the pedestrian crossing to approaching vehicles.
• There are a number of pubs and restaurants on both sides of the road and a number of pedestrians in the area late into the evening.
• The Forensic Collision Investigator concluded that in the short window of time in which Mr. Paine was likely visible to the driver, they failed to see him. The Investigator’s evidence was that even if the driver had seen Mr. Paine, there would have been insufficient time to react and avoid the collision. However, the Investigator’s evidence also stated that if the vehicle had been traveling at a slower speed, this may have provided the driver with sufficient time to react and either avoid the collision or reduce the severity of the impact.
• In the opinion of the Forensic Collision Investigator, the speed of the driver’s vehicle was 32.6 mph ± 3.6 mph and was a contributing factor to the severity of the collision and that, as a general point, the slower the vehicle is travelling the less severe the effects of any impact.
• It was further noted that other nearby town/city centres (eg Oxford) have introduced 20 mph speed limits on roads in the city centre.

Responses

1 respondent

Oxfordshire County Council

Local Authority

Letter dated 14 Mar 2025 PDF

AI-classified response stance Action Planned

AI-generated response summary

• Oxfordshire County Council has made an allocation in the 2025/26 Vision Zero road safety programme for the design and implementation of improvement measures. • These measures include a 20mph speed limit at the location, subject to consultation and approval. • If approved, the scheme is intended to be completed by the end of the 2025/26 financial year.

View full response

Dear Mr N Graham, Thank you for your letter of 9 January and Regulation 28 Report to Prevent Future Deaths. In response to the matters of concern raised, I can confirm that the current speed limit (30mph), is in line with current national guidance and standards. That said, it should also be noted that following a community consultation, in line with our 20mph policy, an allocation has been made in the 2025/26 Vision Zero road safety programme for the design and implementation of improvement measures including (subject to consultation and subsequent approval) a 20mph speed limit at the location of the traffic collision resulting in the death of Mr Paine. If approved, the intention is that the scheme will be completed by the end of the 2025/26 financial year. Until this scheme is implemented there is no plan to change to the current and appropriate speed limit of 30mph. If helpful I would be happy to provide an update in 6 months’ time as to the progress of the 20mph scheme mentioned.

Report sections

Investigation and inquest

On 12th April 2023 I commenced an investigation into the death of Anthony John PAINE, a 75 year old male. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 7 January 2025 and my conclusion as to the death was one of Road Traffic Collision.

Circumstances of the death

At approximately 22:45 hours on Friday 24th March 2023, a fatal road traffic collision occurred on the A361 North Bar Street, Banbury, Oxfordshire. A red Nissan Pixo collided with a pedestrian, Anthony Paine on the A361 North Bar Street, Banbury. Mr. Paine was crossing the carriageway on a pedestrian crossing from right to left as viewed by the driver of the Nissan. The pedestrian crossing was controlled by traffic signals. Mr Paine did not wait to use the pedestrian controlled lights having considered the that the road was clear. He was struck by the vehicle and sadly died at the scene.

Copies sent to

Thames Valley PoliceMr N. Graham HM Area Coroner for Oxfordshire Date9th January 2025

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Report details

Reference: 2025-0013
Date of report: 9 January 2025
Coroner: Nicholas Graham
Coroner area: Oxfordshire

Responses identified

Responses identified 1 of 1

All listed responses identified

Organisations named in PFD reports are normally expected to respond within 56 days. Deadline: 6 Mar 2025 (stated in the report).

Sent to

Oxfordshire County Council

Part of a series

2 reports

2018-0088 2/3

Source links

Judiciary.uk page → Report PDF →

Data: judiciary.uk.

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.