Nottingham County Council
Action Taken
AI-generated response summary
• Via East Midlands installed two "Pedestrians in Road" warning signs on 19 June 2026, after an omission was identified. • The Council commissioned a feasibility study for a signal-controlled pedestrian crossing, identifying a preferred location. • The Council instructed Via East Midlands to progress the detailed design and delivery of the crossing, with anticipated completion by March 2027.
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Dear Assistant Coroner Hartley
Re: Regulation 28 Report to Prevent Future Deaths – Phillip Tetley (Deceased)
Thank you for your Regulation 28 Report to Prevent Future Deaths dated 1 June 2026 concerning the death of Mr Phillip Tetley.
Nottinghamshire County Council and Via East Midlands have carefully considered the matters of concern identified by the Court and welcome the opportunity to respond. The Council recognises the concerns raised regarding pedestrian safety on the A620 Straight Mile adjacent to HMP Ranby and has undertaken a review of the location following the fatal collision on 1 December 2025.
As part of that review, the Council examined the available collision history for this location. Analysis of casualty data supplied by Nottinghamshire Police confirmed that, prior to the collision involving Mr Tetley, there had been no recorded pedestrian injury collisions of any severity outside HMP Ranby during the period for which records are held. Notwithstanding that collision history, the Council has carefully considered the concerns identified by the Court and has undertaken further investigation of pedestrian activity at the location. Those investigations identified sufficient pedestrian demand to justify progression of a formal pedestrian crossing facility and the Council has consequently commenced the work set out below with a view to reducing risk and improving pedestrian safety at the site.
The actions taken and proposed in response to each matter of concern are set out below.
Matter of Concern 1
"The court heard evidence that the possibility of a crossing is being considered by the council. The overflow car park to the south of the A620 has been increased in size and there is an increase in the number of people crossing the road to get to the prison estate. Many of those crossing expressed concern about crossing the road safely. The court is concerned that if nothing is done to assist those crossing the road there is a risk of future deaths."
Response
Following the fatal collision on 1 December 2025, Nottinghamshire County Council commissioned a review of pedestrian movements and road safety conditions on the A620 Straight Mile adjacent to HMP Ranby.
24 July 2026 This matter is being dealt with by: W nottinghamshire.gov.uk Private and Confidential To be opened by addressee only
Assistant Coroner Nathanael Hartley HM Coroner's Office Nottingham and Nottinghamshire
Traffic and pedestrian surveys were subsequently undertaken. The results demonstrated sufficient pedestrian demand to warrant further investigation into the provision of a formal pedestrian crossing facility.
A feasibility study was then commissioned to assess the suitability of a signal-controlled pedestrian crossing. The study was completed in April 2026 and identified a preferred location for a puffin crossing adjacent to the prison's overflow car park.
As a result, the Council has instructed Via East Midlands to progress the detailed design and delivery of a signal-controlled pedestrian crossing at this location. The current anticipated programme is as follows:
• Completion of detailed design, site investigations and associated technical work by 30 September 2026
• Commencement of public consultation and any required statutory procedures by 14 October 2026
• Completion of consultation by 11 November 2026
• Determination of objections and approvals required to proceed by December 2026
• Anticipated commencement of construction by February 2027
• Anticipated completion of the crossing by March 2027, subject to completion of statutory procedures, procurement requirements and any matters arising through consultation or detailed design.
The Council considers that the proposed crossing will provide a significant improvement in safety for staff, visitors and other pedestrians required to cross between the prison estate and overflow parking facilities.
Matter of Concern 2
"The court also received initial evidence from VIA in the form of a written statement that warning signs had been installed on the approach to the car park, but then heard evidence that only 'SLOW' signage had been installed, and planned 'PEDESTRIANS IN THE ROAD/CROSSING' signage had not. As a result, drivers may be unaware of the risks posed at the car park location."
Response
Following notification of the fatal collision by Nottinghamshire Police on 3 December 2025, Via East Midlands commissioned the installation of temporary warning signage consisting of both "SLOW" signs and "Pedestrians in Road" warning signs on the approaches to HMP Ranby.
Whilst the "SLOW" signs were installed, it subsequently became apparent that the temporary "Pedestrians in Road" warning signs had not been erected as intended. This omission was identified following evidence heard during the inquest proceedings.
Upon becoming aware of the omission, Via East Midlands immediately investigated the matter and arranged for the warning signs to be installed. Two "Pedestrians in Road" warning signs were subsequently erected on 19 June 2026.
The Council and Via East Midlands acknowledge that the intended signage should have been installed earlier and regret that this did not occur. The matter has been reviewed internally and steps have been taken to ensure that highway safety measures commissioned in response to collision investigations are appropriately monitored and verified following instruction and implementation.
The Council considers that the installation of the warning signs, together with the progression of the proposed signal-controlled crossing scheme, directly addresses the concerns raised by the Court regarding driver awareness and pedestrian safety at this location.
Conclusion
Nottinghamshire County Council and Via East Midlands have carefully considered the matters raised within the Regulation 28 Report and remain committed to improving pedestrian safety on the A620 adjacent to HMP Ranby.
Immediate action has been taken through the installation of pedestrian warning signs and a programme is now underway to design and deliver a signal-controlled pedestrian crossing at the location.
The Council and Via East Midlands will continue to progress the scheme in accordance with the timetable set out above and will work with relevant stakeholders to deliver the proposed improvements as soon as reasonably practicable.
We trust that this response addresses the concerns identified by the Court.
Re: Regulation 28 Report to Prevent Future Deaths – Phillip Tetley (Deceased)
Thank you for your Regulation 28 Report to Prevent Future Deaths dated 1 June 2026 concerning the death of Mr Phillip Tetley.
Nottinghamshire County Council and Via East Midlands have carefully considered the matters of concern identified by the Court and welcome the opportunity to respond. The Council recognises the concerns raised regarding pedestrian safety on the A620 Straight Mile adjacent to HMP Ranby and has undertaken a review of the location following the fatal collision on 1 December 2025.
As part of that review, the Council examined the available collision history for this location. Analysis of casualty data supplied by Nottinghamshire Police confirmed that, prior to the collision involving Mr Tetley, there had been no recorded pedestrian injury collisions of any severity outside HMP Ranby during the period for which records are held. Notwithstanding that collision history, the Council has carefully considered the concerns identified by the Court and has undertaken further investigation of pedestrian activity at the location. Those investigations identified sufficient pedestrian demand to justify progression of a formal pedestrian crossing facility and the Council has consequently commenced the work set out below with a view to reducing risk and improving pedestrian safety at the site.
The actions taken and proposed in response to each matter of concern are set out below.
Matter of Concern 1
"The court heard evidence that the possibility of a crossing is being considered by the council. The overflow car park to the south of the A620 has been increased in size and there is an increase in the number of people crossing the road to get to the prison estate. Many of those crossing expressed concern about crossing the road safely. The court is concerned that if nothing is done to assist those crossing the road there is a risk of future deaths."
Response
Following the fatal collision on 1 December 2025, Nottinghamshire County Council commissioned a review of pedestrian movements and road safety conditions on the A620 Straight Mile adjacent to HMP Ranby.
24 July 2026 This matter is being dealt with by: W nottinghamshire.gov.uk Private and Confidential To be opened by addressee only
Assistant Coroner Nathanael Hartley HM Coroner's Office Nottingham and Nottinghamshire
Traffic and pedestrian surveys were subsequently undertaken. The results demonstrated sufficient pedestrian demand to warrant further investigation into the provision of a formal pedestrian crossing facility.
A feasibility study was then commissioned to assess the suitability of a signal-controlled pedestrian crossing. The study was completed in April 2026 and identified a preferred location for a puffin crossing adjacent to the prison's overflow car park.
As a result, the Council has instructed Via East Midlands to progress the detailed design and delivery of a signal-controlled pedestrian crossing at this location. The current anticipated programme is as follows:
• Completion of detailed design, site investigations and associated technical work by 30 September 2026
• Commencement of public consultation and any required statutory procedures by 14 October 2026
• Completion of consultation by 11 November 2026
• Determination of objections and approvals required to proceed by December 2026
• Anticipated commencement of construction by February 2027
• Anticipated completion of the crossing by March 2027, subject to completion of statutory procedures, procurement requirements and any matters arising through consultation or detailed design.
The Council considers that the proposed crossing will provide a significant improvement in safety for staff, visitors and other pedestrians required to cross between the prison estate and overflow parking facilities.
Matter of Concern 2
"The court also received initial evidence from VIA in the form of a written statement that warning signs had been installed on the approach to the car park, but then heard evidence that only 'SLOW' signage had been installed, and planned 'PEDESTRIANS IN THE ROAD/CROSSING' signage had not. As a result, drivers may be unaware of the risks posed at the car park location."
Response
Following notification of the fatal collision by Nottinghamshire Police on 3 December 2025, Via East Midlands commissioned the installation of temporary warning signage consisting of both "SLOW" signs and "Pedestrians in Road" warning signs on the approaches to HMP Ranby.
Whilst the "SLOW" signs were installed, it subsequently became apparent that the temporary "Pedestrians in Road" warning signs had not been erected as intended. This omission was identified following evidence heard during the inquest proceedings.
Upon becoming aware of the omission, Via East Midlands immediately investigated the matter and arranged for the warning signs to be installed. Two "Pedestrians in Road" warning signs were subsequently erected on 19 June 2026.
The Council and Via East Midlands acknowledge that the intended signage should have been installed earlier and regret that this did not occur. The matter has been reviewed internally and steps have been taken to ensure that highway safety measures commissioned in response to collision investigations are appropriately monitored and verified following instruction and implementation.
The Council considers that the installation of the warning signs, together with the progression of the proposed signal-controlled crossing scheme, directly addresses the concerns raised by the Court regarding driver awareness and pedestrian safety at this location.
Conclusion
Nottinghamshire County Council and Via East Midlands have carefully considered the matters raised within the Regulation 28 Report and remain committed to improving pedestrian safety on the A620 adjacent to HMP Ranby.
Immediate action has been taken through the installation of pedestrian warning signs and a programme is now underway to design and deliver a signal-controlled pedestrian crossing at the location.
The Council and Via East Midlands will continue to progress the scheme in accordance with the timetable set out above and will work with relevant stakeholders to deliver the proposed improvements as soon as reasonably practicable.
We trust that this response addresses the concerns identified by the Court.