Kenneth McCurdy and Mary McCurdy

Dear Mr Oliver Response to Regulatlon 28 Report to Prevent Future Deaths The Coroners (Investigations) Regulations 2013 A66 Hulands Quarry Access, east of Bowes, County Durham In relation to the Deaths of Mr Kenneth and Mrs McCurdy refer to your letter of 9 October 2015 and accompanying Regulation 28 Report to prevent future deaths in relation to the above Hlghways England was saddened by the news of the death of Mr and Mrs McCurdy and would wish to extend sincere condolences to their family in this respect. We_note your conclusions of accidental deaths in both cases: Your report details concerns in relation to the current lack of signing at this central reservation gap and that you believe that Highways England has power to take action to prevent future deaths. Highways England accepts that it has power to take action and would refer you to the measures that are set out below: note that the Report indicates that it could not be explained to the inquest why the driver executed his manoeuvre through this central reservation gap. Following receipt of the Report;, a detailed examination of the circumstances of this collision has taken place and an inspection and assessment of the road's layout has been undertaken: The collision history reveals no other collisions in this vicinlty In at least the last 10-years. Highways England's investigation has drawn a number of conclusions: There is no currently legally approved or appropriate sign that can be installed on the A66 westbound carriageway to indicate to drivers that the gap cannot be entered by vehicles passing from the eastbound cariageway. Vehicles exiting the Hulands Quamy access have the need and right to pass through the central Regletered pitce Brddoo Hute. Wdnu Trob Cote, Glddton GUI 4LZ INVESTORS Hahuars England Company Umllod reglstared h Endland end Walas nubar 09348383 IN PEOPLE Mary injury

reservation gap at this location, and hence such a slgn could provide westbound drivers with mlsleading Informatlon which might In Itself cause a danger to drivers; By prohibiting certain turning manoeuvres, Highways Engiand has duty to provide an alternative facility for users: In this case, drivers would be required to divert elsewhere to perfom U-tum manoeuvres. Currently there are no suitable alternative U-turn facilities on the A66 between Bowes Interchange and Cross Lanes junction: Highways England proposes the following to address your concerns relating to this and the adjacent central reservation gap to East Lowfield Farm. Measures are proposed to enhance the existing facilities and to positively encourage use of the central reservatlon gaps where offside diverge lanes are installed. These measures would include signing and road markings to highlight the appropriate facility. It is however recognised that Mr McCurdy was performing a U-turn manoeuvre when the collision occured. Such manoeuvres are normally made when driver either realises that he is driving, or he Is under the misconception that he is driving, in the wrong direction: Hlghways England therefore proposes to work with Durham Constabulary In December to identify the route that Mr McCurdy had intended t0 take. Using this Informatlon, we wlll investigate enhancements to signing and road markings at appropriate locations that will provide drivers with improved advance information_ This Is aimed at reducing driver confusion and hence reducing future collision risk: By 31 March 2016 we aim to deliver investigations that will recommend proposals for this length of the A66 Regrettably at this time, no funding is currently avallable to undertake this work, beyond the investigations described. A bid wili be placed to request funding, which is normally allocated on priority basis to ensure that funds are targeted at sltes that are Ilkely to provide the greatest collision savings and safety benefit to road users. trust that this information is of assistance in explaining Highways England's proposals In relation to this location: