Walter Faulder

Dear Dr Shaw,

Re: Inquest Touching the Death of Mr Walter Faulder – Regulation 28 Prevention of Future Deaths Report

I refer to the above Inquest and the Regulation 28 Report issued to the Chief Executive of National Highways Limited on 8th January 2024 as published on the Chief Coroner’s website.

I am writing to inform you that National Highways is not the highway authority for the A595 at Orton Grange and is therefore not the appropriate authority to respond to the Regulation 28 report. The highway authority for the A595 at the location identified is the responsibility of Cumberland Council.

I hope this assists.

I would be grateful if you could confirm receipt.

Good morning

I am replying in response to the Regulation 28 Report concerning the death of Mr Walter Faulder. As previously stated we delayed a response until we carried out a survey.

Connect Roads is responsible for the maintenance of the A595 at this location and is not aware of any previous incidents or concerns raised regarding the safety of the crossing point.

To establish the numbers of pedestrians crossing at this point, a 12 hour survey was carried out at the pedestrian refuge location on Friday 8th and Saturday 9th March 2024 to ensure we captured a week and weekend day. The surveys were delayed so they were undertaken when it was fine weather.

On the Friday there were 5 pedestrians crossing in the morning peak hour and 7 in the afternoon peak hour and on the Saturday there were there were 4 pedestrians crossing in the morning peak hour and 6 in the afternoon peak hour. Due to the numbers of pedestrians the existing refuge has been deemed an adequate crossing point,

There are no concerns regarding the design or operation of the crossing, therefore no measures are proposed to alter the current arrangement. Any future concerns received or reported incidents will be reviewed accordingly.

Kind regards

Assistant Director of Highways and Transport, Place Sustainable Growth and Transport