Source · Prevention of Future Deaths

Colin Hodge

Ref: 2017-0042 Date: 28 Feb 2017 Coroner: Stephen Nicholls Area: Dorset Responses identified: 1 / 1 View PDF

A junction's poor state of repair and lack of clear pavement/roadway boundaries encourage pedestrians to cross unsafely and drivers to cut corners, posing significant collision risks.

Date 28 Feb 2017

56-day deadline 26 Apr 2017

Responses identified 1 of 1

Road (Highways Safety) related deaths

Coroner's concerns

AI summary

A junction's poor state of repair and lack of clear pavement/roadway boundaries encourage pedestrians to cross unsafely and drivers to cut corners, posing significant collision risks.

View full coroner's concerns

_ (1) The evidence from the witnesses who were all from the Wareham area, was that the pavement and road way at the junction of the High Street and Howards Lane was in a poor state of repair (2) At the time of the incident; the pavement and roadway were all of one level.

(3) Evidence from the witnesses indicated that this junction was of concern for two reasons; Firstly that pedestrians would walk straight across as there was no clear boundary between the pavement and the road; Secondly, as the entrance to Howards Lane is narrow; cars would sometimes cut the corner The Coroner's Court; Town Hall, Bourne Avenue; Bournemouth; Dorset; BH2 6DY Tel 01202 310049 Fax 01202 780423 and

Responses

1 respondent

Dorset County Council Local Authority / Fire Service

14 Mar 2017 PDF

Action Taken

Dorset County Council installed kerb stones on 19 August 2016 to define the edge of the footway and address concerns with the footway surface; they will also erect a marker post (bollard) in the footway to prevent vehicles from overrunning the footway at Howard's Lane. (AI summary)

View full response

Dear Mr Nicholls Inquest into the death of Reverend Colin Hodge The fatal site investigation was completed by colleagues at Dorset Police and Highway Officers on 23 May 2016. This investigation did not reveal any highway related factors that contributed to the fatality: Prior to this investigation the County Councillor for the area had raised local concerns with this location. The concerns centred on there no kerb line defining the 'end' of the footway: In recognition of these concerns kerb stones were installed on 19 August 2016 to define the edge of the footway. As part of these works a small section of new surface was laid in order to address concerns with the footway surface_ Whilst the surface was not in any way defective a pragmatic decision was taken to improve the footway surface as part of the kerbing work. The images attached show the site in question before and after the work had been completed_ Concerns regarding vehicles overrunning the footway whilst making a left turn into Howard's Lane from North Street have not previously been raised with us _ In recognition of these concerns a marker post (bollard) will be erected in the footway to prevent vehicles from overrunning the footway at Howard's Lane_ trust that the actions already taken and planned satisfy your request for improvements to be made at the junction between North Street and Howard's Lane. If you need more information please let me know. Yours "Tul Service Director Highways & Emergency Planning Enc_ Director for Environment and Economy 7^ ""ototen GnzE INVESTORS Working together for a strong successful Dorset IN PEOPLE 'Nstaucto" the being o Nsider_ and

Report sections

Investigation and inquest

On 26/01/2016 | commenced an investigation into the death of Reverend Colin Hodge, 76. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 20 February 2017 . The conclusion of the inquest was Road Traffic Accident. Medical cause of death 1a Head Injury 1b Road Traffic Accident

Circumstances of the death

On the 1gtn January 2016 Reverend Hodge was walking along the High Street in Wareham and approached the junction of Howards Lane_ The pavement was in a poor state of repair and there was no clear indication where the pavement ended and the road began. A motor vehicle was indicating was slowly making right angled turn to its left to enter into Howards Lane. According to the evidence of witnesses it appeared that Reverend Hodge saw the motor vehicle. Findings made at the Inquest were that Reverend Hodge stumbled on the uneven surface and fell against the side of the motor vehicle. The impact caused Reverend Hodge to fall to the ground whereby he struck his head_ He was taken to hospital and died o the 25"h January as a result of the head injury that was inoperable

Action should be taken

In my opinion action should be taken to prevent future deaths and believe you, Dorset Highways have the power to take such action.

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Shared signals

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Report details

Reference: 2017-0042
Date of report: 28 February 2017
Coroner: Stephen Nicholls
Coroner area: Dorset

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: 26 Apr 2017.

Sent to

Dorset Highways Departments

Source links

Judiciary.uk page → Report PDF →

Data: judiciary.uk under OGL.