Source · Prevention of Future Deaths

Paul Briggs

Ref: 2017-0040 Date: 28 Feb 2017 Coroner: Andre Rebello Area: Liverpool and Wirral Responses identified: 1 / 1 View PDF

The absence of rumble strips on double white lines at a merging carriageway increases the risk of vehicles inadvertently straying into oncoming traffic, particularly where visibility is inhibited.

Date 28 Feb 2017

56-day deadline 28 Apr 2017

Responses identified 1 of 1

Road (Highways Safety) related deaths

Coroner's concerns

AI summary

The absence of rumble strips on double white lines at a merging carriageway increases the risk of vehicles inadvertently straying into oncoming traffic, particularly where visibility is inhibited.

View full coroner's concerns

Though there is appropriate signage, a two way sign as the carriageways merge and though there are double white lines dividing the tunnel bound carriageway from the Liverpool bound carriageway; this incident occurred resulting in a tragic death. It is unclear as to why the Nissan Micra strayed onto the wrong side of the road but had the double white lines also included rumble strips – (as in the tunnel itself and similar to the lines next to motorway hard shoulders)- this would minimise the risk of inadvertently straying into the oncoming lane especially at quiet times when the side barriers and the bend inhibit visibility of oncoming traffic.

It is now some 20 months after this tragic incident which proved fatal and risk assessments as to the risk of this eventuality, with appropriate remedial action should be nearing completion.

Responses

1 respondent

Merseyside Passenger Transport Authority Other

28 Feb 2017 PDF

Action Planned

Merseyside Passenger Transport Authority will engage a contractor to install rumble strips within the white lines in the area concerned, aiming to instruct the contractor by the end of the following week. (AI summary)

View full response

Subject: RE: Preventing Future Deaths This was a case that was on an old database so we do not have the actual response but the authority replied

“Please accept our apologies for not responding to Mr Rebello’s Order of 28th February 2017. We were unaware of the Order or any recommendations within it. However, having liaised with (Head of Asset Management) this afternoon, I can confirm that we are able to comply with Mr Rebello’s recommendations for rumble strips to be included within the white lines in the area concerned. In respect of a timetable for action, we propose to engage a suitable contractor by the end of next week, being 5 th May
2017. We will then endeavour to have the works completed at the earliest opportunity taking into account the availability of the contractor/closure of the Tunnel approach roads and seeking permissions from Wirral Borough Council. If this is acceptable to Mr Rebello, once we have instructed a suitable contractor, we will advise further with a start and completion date for the works.”

André Rebello OBE Senior Coroner Liverpool and Wirral Area Hon Secretary Coroners’ Society of England & Wales HM Coroner’s Court Gerard Majella Courthouse Boundary Street Liverpool L5 2QD

2/5/26, 2:39 PM RE: Preventing Future Deaths

1/3

Report sections

Investigation and inquest

On 23rd January 2017 I commenced an investigation into the death of Paul Michael BRIGGS, Aged 43. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 28th February 2017. The medical cause of death was:

Ia Minimal Conscious State Ib Traumatic Head Injury

The conclusion of the inquest was: Road traffic collision

Circumstances of the death

On the evening of 03/07/2015 Paul Briggs was riding his own motor cycle on his way to work at Merseyside's Roads Policing Headquarters in Liverpool. As he rode up the Borough Road access road to the Birkenhead Tunnels, an oncoming vehicle, a Nisan Micra, veered onto his side of the road, across solid white lines and a collision occurred. Paul suffered multiple fractures and also a very traumatic brain injury which left him in a minimally conscious state. He was treated in the Walton centre until a Court of Protection order was made in December 2016 approving a palliative care plan. On the 11/01/17 artificial nutrition and hydration was withdrawn. Paul was pronounced having died at 09.15Hrs Saturday 21st January 2017.

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Report details

Reference: 2017-0040
Date of report: 28 February 2017
Coroner: Andre Rebello
Coroner area: Liverpool and Wirral

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: 28 Apr 2017.

Sent to

Merseyside Passenger Transport Authority

Source links

Judiciary.uk page → Report PDF →

Data: judiciary.uk under OGL.