Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council
Local Authority / Fire Service
Action Taken
Stockport Council has permanently affixed reflective panels and tape to barriers in parks, including Alexandra Park (completed November 21st, 2024), and will complete remaining work by March 31st, 2025. They also audited lighting and found it compliant with BS5489 standards, and will do remedial work by March 31st, 2025 if needed. (AI summary)
View full response
Dear Mr Murray,
Re: Inquest into the death of Scott Bradley Davies (ref: 35869178)
Thank you for your letter of 1st October 2024 enclosing a Prevention of Future Deaths Report in reference to the inquest into the death of Mr Scott Davies held on the 10th April 2024 and concluding on 19th September 2024, at which you determined Mr Davies died as a result of an accident. On behalf of Stockport Council, I would like to offer my sincere condolences to the family and friends of Mr Davies.
The section of road bisecting Alexandra Park, known as Cheadle Old Road, Edgeley, is a legitimate right of way for bicycles and emergency services vehicles. The reason for the installation of a barrier relates to the fact that this park is an area widely used by pedestrians, in particular, families who use the play equipment and green space available. It was considered that the risk posed to pedestrians by cyclists entering the park unhindered was sufficient to justify the installation of such barriers.
However, upon considering the circumstances of Mr Davies accident and subsequent death and your report, Stockport Council has taken action to improve the visibility of barriers within parks by permanently affixing reflective panels and adding reflective tape to the uprights to all barriers of this nature situated in similar positions across the borough. This work has already been completed in Alexandra Park as of 21st November 2024. The remaining work in the other locations will be completed by 31st March 2025.
To further ensure that we are maximising visibility of the barriers after dusk we are also auditing the lighting in surrounding areas to ensure they are not impeded by tree growth and that the levels are in accordance with BS:5489 lighting standards. Where remedial work is required, this will be complete by 31st March 2025.
An audit of the trees in the vicinity of the Alexandra Park barrier was carried out on 21st November 2024 and it was determined that no arboriculture work was needed at that time. The lighting on Cheadle Old Road was upgraded in 2019 as part of the ongoing LED lighting replacement programme, and we can confirm that the luminescence report notes it is compliant with lighting class P5 to BS5489.
Services to Place Stopford House, Piccadilly, Stockport SK1 3XE Email:
Date:26th November 2024 A3
If Emergency services require access to a location with a closed barrier, they have direct contact to the council control room and vice versa. Where needed the council will attend urgently to ensure that access is provided.
I trust the actions detailed fully address the concerns you have raised.
Your sincerely,
Assistant Director to Neighbourhoods
A4
Re: Inquest into the death of Scott Bradley Davies (ref: 35869178)
Thank you for your letter of 1st October 2024 enclosing a Prevention of Future Deaths Report in reference to the inquest into the death of Mr Scott Davies held on the 10th April 2024 and concluding on 19th September 2024, at which you determined Mr Davies died as a result of an accident. On behalf of Stockport Council, I would like to offer my sincere condolences to the family and friends of Mr Davies.
The section of road bisecting Alexandra Park, known as Cheadle Old Road, Edgeley, is a legitimate right of way for bicycles and emergency services vehicles. The reason for the installation of a barrier relates to the fact that this park is an area widely used by pedestrians, in particular, families who use the play equipment and green space available. It was considered that the risk posed to pedestrians by cyclists entering the park unhindered was sufficient to justify the installation of such barriers.
However, upon considering the circumstances of Mr Davies accident and subsequent death and your report, Stockport Council has taken action to improve the visibility of barriers within parks by permanently affixing reflective panels and adding reflective tape to the uprights to all barriers of this nature situated in similar positions across the borough. This work has already been completed in Alexandra Park as of 21st November 2024. The remaining work in the other locations will be completed by 31st March 2025.
To further ensure that we are maximising visibility of the barriers after dusk we are also auditing the lighting in surrounding areas to ensure they are not impeded by tree growth and that the levels are in accordance with BS:5489 lighting standards. Where remedial work is required, this will be complete by 31st March 2025.
An audit of the trees in the vicinity of the Alexandra Park barrier was carried out on 21st November 2024 and it was determined that no arboriculture work was needed at that time. The lighting on Cheadle Old Road was upgraded in 2019 as part of the ongoing LED lighting replacement programme, and we can confirm that the luminescence report notes it is compliant with lighting class P5 to BS5489.
Services to Place Stopford House, Piccadilly, Stockport SK1 3XE Email:
Date:26th November 2024 A3
If Emergency services require access to a location with a closed barrier, they have direct contact to the council control room and vice versa. Where needed the council will attend urgently to ensure that access is provided.
I trust the actions detailed fully address the concerns you have raised.
Your sincerely,
Assistant Director to Neighbourhoods
A4