Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council
Local Authority / Fire Service
Action Planned
Merthyr Tydfil Council disputes the coroner's concern about visibility at the junction. However, they state that planned road layout changes as part of the Welsh Governments A465 dualling project will remove the bridge/parapet obstruction, and the Gurnos Ring Road will become 20mph in September 2023. (AI summary)
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Dear Rachel Re: Aaron David Edwards (Deceased) Thank you for your letter dated 28th September 2022 and the accompanying Regulation 28 report. We have considered all the concerns that were raised within the report in relation to the junction layout and would like to make the following observations. It has been determined that visibility at this junction is poor, however, we respectfully disagree as there is no immediate obstruction to the right while approaching the junction from Goitre Lane and the vision splay meets the requirements in accordance with Manual for Streets at
2.4m x 40m, therefore, visibility at this junction is acceptable. As noted a bridge/subway parapet does obstruct vision at circa 2.4m x 55m although the sightline extends behind the back of the parapet to 2.4m x 90m. It is also worth noting that the stopping sight distance for a 30mph road is 43m when accounting for a car bonnet length, therefore a vehicle travelling at 30mph would be able to stop safely if a car emerged from Goitre Lane. As highlighted within the report Mr Edwards was riding his Kawasaki motorcycle at over twice the speed limit when he collided with a car, which in our view negates the junction layout as a contributing factor in the collision. The time ofthe road traffic collision has not been made clear within the report but if it did occur during school start or end times then it is likely cars were parked on the Gurnos Ring Road which may have reduced visibility. However, if the incident did occur during these times where children were walking along Gurnos Ring Road then further responsibility should be attributed to Mr Edwards by traveling at over 60mph on a 30mph road with children in the area. Merthyr Tudful Merthyr Tydfil ... lie i fod yn falch ohono ... a place to be proud of Croesawn ohebu yn Gymraegafydd gohebu yn yGymraegddlm yn arwaln atoedl. Rhowch wybod lnnl beth yw'ch dewls lalth e.e Cymraegneu'n ddwylelthog. We welcome correspondence In Welsh and colll!spondlngwith us In Welsh will not lead to adelay. Letusknow your language choice IfWelsh or bilingual.
Cont/.... For information, the SCRIM (Sideway-Force Coefficient Routine Investigation Machine) which measures the skid resistance over a stretch of a road is undertaken every year on Merthyr's roads by an independent contractor WDM. The results from the SCRIM surveys at this location in 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022 identify that no action is needed as the skid resistance of this road is good. Skid resistance is an important factor in highway safety particularly in damp or wet conditions. With reference to making changes on Gurnos Ring Road to slow vehicle speeds, it is proposed to alter the road layout at this location as part of Welsh Governments A465 dualling project which is currently under construction and will continue between now and May 2025. The road bridge will be removed including the parapet and an elevated roundabout will be located adjacent to Penydre School, this will prevent parents parking on Gurnos Ring Road or near the junction of Goitre Lane. In addition, due to Welsh Governments new legislation with regard to a default 20mph speed limit, the Gurnos Ring Road will become 20mph on the 17th of September 2023. I hope the above information is satisfactory and if you have any further queries, please do not hesitate to contact me. CHIEF EXECUTIVE Merthyr Tudful Merthyr Tydfil ... lie i fod yn falch ohono ... a place to be proud of Croesawn ohebu yn Gymraeg afydd gohebu yn yGymraeg ddlm yn arwaln at oedl. Rhowch wybod lnnl beth yw'ch dewls lalth e.e Cymraegneu'n ddwyielthog. We welcome conespondence In Welsh and conespondlngwlth us In Welsh wl!I not lead to adelay. Let us know your language choice IfWelsh orblllngual.
2.4m x 40m, therefore, visibility at this junction is acceptable. As noted a bridge/subway parapet does obstruct vision at circa 2.4m x 55m although the sightline extends behind the back of the parapet to 2.4m x 90m. It is also worth noting that the stopping sight distance for a 30mph road is 43m when accounting for a car bonnet length, therefore a vehicle travelling at 30mph would be able to stop safely if a car emerged from Goitre Lane. As highlighted within the report Mr Edwards was riding his Kawasaki motorcycle at over twice the speed limit when he collided with a car, which in our view negates the junction layout as a contributing factor in the collision. The time ofthe road traffic collision has not been made clear within the report but if it did occur during school start or end times then it is likely cars were parked on the Gurnos Ring Road which may have reduced visibility. However, if the incident did occur during these times where children were walking along Gurnos Ring Road then further responsibility should be attributed to Mr Edwards by traveling at over 60mph on a 30mph road with children in the area. Merthyr Tudful Merthyr Tydfil ... lie i fod yn falch ohono ... a place to be proud of Croesawn ohebu yn Gymraegafydd gohebu yn yGymraegddlm yn arwaln atoedl. Rhowch wybod lnnl beth yw'ch dewls lalth e.e Cymraegneu'n ddwylelthog. We welcome correspondence In Welsh and colll!spondlngwith us In Welsh will not lead to adelay. Letusknow your language choice IfWelsh or bilingual.
Cont/.... For information, the SCRIM (Sideway-Force Coefficient Routine Investigation Machine) which measures the skid resistance over a stretch of a road is undertaken every year on Merthyr's roads by an independent contractor WDM. The results from the SCRIM surveys at this location in 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022 identify that no action is needed as the skid resistance of this road is good. Skid resistance is an important factor in highway safety particularly in damp or wet conditions. With reference to making changes on Gurnos Ring Road to slow vehicle speeds, it is proposed to alter the road layout at this location as part of Welsh Governments A465 dualling project which is currently under construction and will continue between now and May 2025. The road bridge will be removed including the parapet and an elevated roundabout will be located adjacent to Penydre School, this will prevent parents parking on Gurnos Ring Road or near the junction of Goitre Lane. In addition, due to Welsh Governments new legislation with regard to a default 20mph speed limit, the Gurnos Ring Road will become 20mph on the 17th of September 2023. I hope the above information is satisfactory and if you have any further queries, please do not hesitate to contact me. CHIEF EXECUTIVE Merthyr Tudful Merthyr Tydfil ... lie i fod yn falch ohono ... a place to be proud of Croesawn ohebu yn Gymraeg afydd gohebu yn yGymraeg ddlm yn arwaln at oedl. Rhowch wybod lnnl beth yw'ch dewls lalth e.e Cymraegneu'n ddwyielthog. We welcome conespondence In Welsh and conespondlngwlth us In Welsh wl!I not lead to adelay. Let us know your language choice IfWelsh orblllngual.