Source · Prevention of Future Deaths

Ahmed Motala

Ref: 2019-0168 Date: 25 May 2019 Coroner: Caroline Saunders Area: Gloucestershire Responses identified: 1 / 1 View PDF

The poor condition of the cycle lane forces cyclists into traffic, creating a dangerous situation and risking future lives if not repaired.

Date 25 May 2019

56-day deadline 23 Sep 2019 est.

Responses identified 1 of 1

Road (Highways Safety) related deaths

Coroner's concerns

AI summary

The poor condition of the cycle lane forces cyclists into traffic, creating a dangerous situation and risking future lives if not repaired.

View full coroner's concerns

The evidence of the Police Collision Investigator and the evidence of witnesses who were motorists on the day (one who regularly used the cycle lane himself) describe the state of the cycle lane as being in very poor condition and cyclists have to swerve in the cycle lane l0 avoid the defects. Moreover heard that to avoid the defects they cycle very close to the while line separating the lane with the traffic. This is obviously very dangerous. At the time of the impact, Mr Motala was not in a cycle lane, what is more the weather on that day was described as "diabolical" Therefore do not consider that the state of the lane itself contributed t0 his death However am concerned that lives of cyclists in the future may be at risk if the cycle lane stays in the current state of_ repair. Gloucestershire Coroner'$ Court, Corinlum Avenue Barnwood, Gloucester, GL4 30} Tel 01452 305661 Fax 01452 412618 1a) the cycle put

Responses

1 respondent

Gloucestershire County Council Local Authority / Fire Service

12 Jun 2019 PDF

Action Planned

The council's Safety Inspection Team assessed the site and found no actionable safety defects, but noted the red surfacing is stripping away. Cole Avenue is in the resurfacing program for the financial year 20/21 and until then will continue to be inspected monthly with defects attended to. (AI summary)

View full response

agamstershisc Highways

Gloucestershire Coroner's Court Corinium Avenue Barnwood Gloucester Highways Commissioning Block 5, 5th Floor Shire Hall Gloucester GL1 2TH 08000 514 514 highways@gloucestershire.gov.uk Our Ref: 11225598 Date: Wednesday, 12 June 2019

Mr Ahmed Hassam Motala deceased Thank you for your letter dated 24th May 2019 regarding the cycle lane in Cole Avenue. Our Safety Inspection Team have been out and assessed the site using our Safety Defect Criteria. At present there are no actionable safety defects, however the red surfacing that is sometimes used in cycle lanes to highlight their presence is starting to strip away. There is no quick fix for this issue and the lanes have to be planed out and fully resurfaced. Cole Avenue is currently in our resurfacing programme for the next financial year 20/21, this will involve the tarmac surface and cycle lanes being planed out and new tarmac put in its place. Until this time, Cole Avenue will continue to be inspected as part of our key route inspections once a month and any defects that are present will be attended to. I have stressed the importance of picking any issues up in this location and the inspectors will now pick up any defects that meet the criteria for a footpath defect within the cycle lanes. This criteria is different to that of a carriageway and will highlight smaller defects. I trust this is acceptable to you, should you have any further queries please do not hesitate to contact me.

Local Highway Manager (Gloucester) Area Highways - Southern :ollow us on Social Media for updates. W ono — f GR our highways investurni n inaucesterne s Gads

Report sections

Investigation and inquest

On 14th December 2018 commenced an investigation into the death of Ahmed Hassam Motala The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 21* May 2019 The conclusion of the inquest was: Road Traffic Collision The medical cause of death was Multiple Injuries

Circumstances of the death

On 29th November 2018, Ahmed Motala was cycling to work along the A38 at Cole Avenue in Gloucester He was cycling in a westbound direction in cycle lane. After the junction with Epney Road, Mr Motala was in collision with a lorry. It appears that Mr Motala swerved or was blown by wind into the lorry: The injuries he sustained resulted in his death

Action should be taken

In my opinion action should be taken t0 prevent future deaths and believe you have the power to take such action:

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Shared signals

Report details

Reference: 2019-0168
Date of report: 25 May 2019
Coroner: Caroline Saunders
Coroner area: Gloucestershire

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: 23 Sep 2019 (estimated).

Sent to

Gloucestershire County Council Highways Department

Source links

Judiciary.uk page → Report PDF →

Data: judiciary.uk under OGL.