Carol Metcalfe
PFD Report
All Responded
Ref: 2018-0175
All 1 response received
· Deadline: 7 Nov 2018
Response Status
Responses
1 of 1
56-Day Deadline
7 Nov 2018
All responses received
About PFD responses
Organisations named in PFD reports must respond within 56 days explaining what actions they are taking.
Source: Courts and Tribunals Judiciary
Coroner's Concerns AI summary
Insufficient pedestrian safety measures on the A63 dual carriageway near Waterloo Manor Hospital pose a significant risk to those crossing.
Responses
Response received
View full response
Dear Mr McLoughlin, 346gl63 Je iled 6 6' I8 RE: Inquest touching the Death of Carole Metcalfe (deceased) refer to your letter dated 7th June 2018 in regards to the above sad incident: have been requested to investigate your concern relating to the measures required to protect pedestrian when crossing the A63 Selby Road in the vicinity of the low security psychiatric unit (Waterloo Manor Hospital): visited the location on the 21st June 2018 to undertake an onsite visual assessment The A63 Road at this location is a dual carriageway, 'A' classified principal route which is govemed by a speed limit of 5Omph: There is a system of street lighting along it route and the condition of the carriageway is good. On the day of my visit observed that there was already an existing informal pedestrian crossing across both directions of the dual carriageway which concluded was introduced t access the bus stops on either side of the A63 Selby. These bus stops in my opinion appear to have been provide to offer a public transport serve to the Waterloo Manor Hospital itself. These informal pedestrian crossing points provide a safe location to cross the A63 Selby Road from Waterloo Manor Hospital, across the central grassed reservation and onto the pavement on the opposing side_ These crossing points have tactile paving provided to assist and guide our blind/ partially sighted road users where to cross safety: The location of the crossing points are located on the straight section of the A63 Selby Road, which offers the greatest forward visibility from both direction, not only for pedestrians but also for the approaching drivers: (See Appendix A ~ Photographs to 4). Onsite observations identified that there were gaps within the traffic to safely cross this road, even for our most vulnerable road users. A further site visit was conducted during the morning and evening peak periods (08.30 to 09.30 and 16.00 to 17 OOhrs) on the 25th June 2018 to see if this observation changed found that that whilst the waiting time t0 cross was marginally greater, had good opportunity and gaps within the oncoming traffic to safely cross this road. In addition to the provision of dropped kerbs and tactile paving to assist pedestrians to cross the A63 Selby Road, there is also present on site highly visible advanced warning signs from both directions. Www leeds-gov.uk switchboard 0113 234 8080 Highways Helpline 0113 2224407 INVESTOR FN PEOPLE Iaqr Selby
These signs are very prominent and give advanced warning to approaching drivers of the potential risk of 'pedestrians in the road ahead' These are also placed on yellow backing boards to highlight and emphasize the message to approaching drivers. (See Appendix A _ Photographs 5 and 6). have as part of this investigation assessed the site for a fomal pedestrian crossing based on the national assessment criteria based the LTN 1/95 "The assessment of pedestrian crossings" . This assessment process considered the site characteristics, vehicular and pedestrian usage, forward visibility, road environment; speed of road and previous road safety history. My conclusion after this review was that informal measures which have already been provided are the most appropriate provision for this location: As part of this investigation have also reviewed the Police injury collisions data for this Iocation from
2010. This has identified that there has only been one recorded pedestrian injury collision in this period which is the sad incident this report refers to. There were two other recorded injury collisions, both resulted in an injury collision rating of slight and one was attributed to debris on the highway and poor driver maneuvering for the second_ In light of the above findings am unable to offer any further highway intervention to assist pedestrians to across this section of the A63 Selby Road from an engineering perspective. However, if the Coroner feels it would be beneficial will ask my colleagues from our Influencing Travel Behaviour Team (Road Safety) to visit Waterloo Manor Hospital to offer some road safety advice and crossing training: am sorry cannot be more positive to this request but trust the above explains my reasoning:
These signs are very prominent and give advanced warning to approaching drivers of the potential risk of 'pedestrians in the road ahead' These are also placed on yellow backing boards to highlight and emphasize the message to approaching drivers. (See Appendix A _ Photographs 5 and 6). have as part of this investigation assessed the site for a fomal pedestrian crossing based on the national assessment criteria based the LTN 1/95 "The assessment of pedestrian crossings" . This assessment process considered the site characteristics, vehicular and pedestrian usage, forward visibility, road environment; speed of road and previous road safety history. My conclusion after this review was that informal measures which have already been provided are the most appropriate provision for this location: As part of this investigation have also reviewed the Police injury collisions data for this Iocation from
2010. This has identified that there has only been one recorded pedestrian injury collision in this period which is the sad incident this report refers to. There were two other recorded injury collisions, both resulted in an injury collision rating of slight and one was attributed to debris on the highway and poor driver maneuvering for the second_ In light of the above findings am unable to offer any further highway intervention to assist pedestrians to across this section of the A63 Selby Road from an engineering perspective. However, if the Coroner feels it would be beneficial will ask my colleagues from our Influencing Travel Behaviour Team (Road Safety) to visit Waterloo Manor Hospital to offer some road safety advice and crossing training: am sorry cannot be more positive to this request but trust the above explains my reasoning:
Action Should Be Taken
In my opinion action should be taken to prevent future deaths and believe you have the power to take such action:
Report Sections
Investigation and Inquest
On 1*t November 2016 an investigation was commenced into the death of Carol Metcalfe, aged 41. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 6"h June 2018. The conclusion of the inquest was a Narrative indicating that she died from chest and abdominal injuries after being struck by a goods vehicle
Circumstances of the Death
The location of the fatal road traffic collision involved in the Inquest was on the A63 Selby Road opposite a low secure psychiatric unit called Waterloo Manor Hospital. The patients treated there have typically been compulsorily detained ("sectioned" under the Mental Health Act 1983 due to their complex mental illnesses. Many are prescribed medication which may leave them drowsy: An integral feature of rehabilitation of such patients is t0 undertake escorted (or unescorted) leave from the hospital: It is, therefore, likely that patients subject to medication will be crossing the busy A63 Selby Road dual carriageway; which is subject to a 50 miles per hour speed Iimit: The situation described gives rise to a concern that deaths may occur as people such as patients seek to cross the dual carriageway to get to the bus stop:
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Data sourced from Courts and Tribunals Judiciary under the Open Government Licence.