Source · Prevention of Future Deaths

Brendan Ryan

Ref: 2014-0541 Date: 18 Dec 2014 Coroner: Andrew Barkley Area: Powys, Bridgend & Glamorgan Valleys 1 response identified · 1 indexed addressee View PDF

AI-generated concerns summaryThe coroner noted an unusually high number of road incidents at a specific location, likely due to excessive speed, despite new signage. Consideration should be given to implementing a restricted speed area.

Date 18 Dec 2014

56-day deadline 12 Feb 2015 est. estimated from the report date

Responses identified 1 of 1

Road (Highways Safety) related deaths

Coroner's concerns

AI summary

The coroner noted an unusually high number of road incidents at a specific location, likely due to excessive speed, despite new signage. Consideration should be given to implementing a restricted speed area.

View full coroner's concerns

1. There is evidence of an unusually high number of incidents taking place at this particular location. Powys County Council are aware of three injury collisions and there is evidence, from the residents of Brook House, that there have been many accidents at or near this location which the evidence indicated are most likely to have been caused by excess speed. Furthermore it is believed there were three collisions at or near this collision site within a six day period surrounding this incident.

2. Evidence from the Collision Investigator in this case showed that the maximum speed at which the bends in this road at this location could be travelled at were 50 and 53 mph depending on the direction of approach. Whilst it is acknowledged that the County Council have installed new signing and double white lines in the area in light of the unusually high number of incidents in which vehicles appear to have left the road, most likely as a direct result of excessive speed, it is felt that consideration ought to be given to a restricted speed area at this location. 6

Responses

1 respondent

Powys County Council

Local Authority

Letter dated 12 Feb 2015 PDF

AI-classified response stance Action Taken

AI-generated response summary

• Temporary traffic management measures were implemented, and detailed surveys were undertaken, leading to a reprofiling scheme completed in summer 2014. • An accident analysis was conducted, and additional engineering solutions were introduced, including double solid white centre lines, warning signs, and verge marker posts. • The council stated that imposing a lower speed limit at this location was not considered appropriate, citing Welsh Government guidance and the implemented measures.

View full response

Dear Mr Barkley Brendan Owain Ryan (deceased) refer to your letter dated 1gt December 2014 enclosing the regulation 28 form for which wish to make the following response. apologise for the delay in providing this response Highway Authorities should pay regard to guidance from the Welsh Government on the setting of local speed limits [WG Circular No 24/2009]. This is to ensure speed limits are imposed in a consistent manner across wales_ The guidance makes it clear that speed limits should not be used to attempt to solve the problem of isolated hazards: Following the fatal collision on the 6th August 2013 a number of measures were taken at this site_ This initially consisted of temporary traffic management measures until detailed surveys could be undertaken to establish the road conditions_ The surface grip test indicated that the surface was fine but a topographical survey noted a small area of concern to the northwest of the bridge. As a result of the survey, a reprofiling scheme was identified and works were completed during summer of 2014 following a successful bid to the Welsh Government for grant funding: An accident analysis of the recorded personal injury collisions was undertaken and did not highlight any patterns which would have identified this site as being of concern. However due to the anecdotal evidence of the number of damage only collisions it was considered prudent to implement additional engineering solutions to provide further warnings to motorists: Surveys into the signing and lining resulted in sections of double solid white centre line being introduced though the bends and additional series of bends warning signs being erected on both approaches: The solid centre lines were considered appropriate not just because of the reduced forward visibility but also from concerns raised by the Community Council of poor overtaking manoeuvres Verge marker posts have also been added adjacent to the bridge parapet to highlight its presence and assist in denoting the road alignment: 9 1 Cymunedau cryfyngnghalon werdd Cymru Strongcommunities in the heartof Wales WWW: powys gov.uk 934 5oZ = (3n3334 green

These engineering measures are considered appropriate measures to meet the duty of this Authority under Section 122 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 as amended. Given this and the Welsh Government guidance not recommending speed limits for individual hazards it is not considered appropriate to impose a lower speed limit at this location_

Report sections

Investigation and inquest

On the 6th August 2013 I commenced and investigation into the death of Brendan Owain Ryan, aged 21. The investigation concluded at the end of an inquest on the 11th December 2014. The conclusion of the inquest was of "Road Traffic Collision" and the medical case of death was: 1a. Neck Injuries 1b. Road Traffic Incident

Circumstances of the death

Brendan Owain Ryan was the front seat passenger in a Peugeot 205 vehicle driven by his best friend, along the A488 between Pen-Y-Bont and Knighton in Powys when on the 31 st July 2013 the vehicle left the road colliding with a stock fence and entering a field. Mr Ryan was declared deceased at the scene. CORONE~SCONCERNS During the course of the inquest the evidence revealed matters giving rise to concern. In my opinion there is a risk that future deaths will occur unless action is taken. In the circumstances it is my statutory duty to report to you. The MATTERS OF CONCERN are as follows. -
1. There is evidence of an unusually high number of incidents taking place at this particular location. Powys County Council are aware of three injury collisions and there is evidence, from the residents of Brook House, that there have been many accidents at or near this location which the evidence indicated are most likely to have been caused by excess speed. Furthermore it is believed there were three collisions at or near this collision site within a six day period surrounding this incident.

2. Evidence from the Collision Investigator in this case showed that the maximum speed at which the bends in this road at this location could be travelled at were 50 and 53 mph depending on the direction of approach. Whilst it is acknowledged that the County Council have installed new signing and double white lines in the area in light of the unusually high number of incidents in which vehicles appear to have left the road, most likely as a direct result of excessive speed, it is felt that consideration ought to be given to a restricted speed area at this location.

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Report details

Reference: 2014-0541
Date of report: 18 December 2014
Coroner: Andrew Barkley
Coroner area: Powys, Bridgend & Glamorgan Valleys

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: 12 Feb 2015 (estimated from the report date).

Sent to

Powys County Council

Source links

Judiciary.uk page → Report PDF →

Data: judiciary.uk.

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