UK Inquiry Tracker

Herbert Francis

PFD Report All Responded Ref: 2018-0242

Date of Report 26 July 2018

Coroner Jonathan Layton

Coroner Area Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire

Response Deadline est. 18 November 2018

Road (Highways Safety) related deaths

Judiciary.uk Report PDF

All 1 response received · Deadline: 18 Nov 2018

Sent To

Department for Transport

Response Status

Responses 1 of 1

56-Day Deadline 18 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

(1) The approach to the main A40 from Redstone Road could be further enhanced with the introduction of road markings and early warning signs. That consideration should be given to the re-positioning of the national speed limit signs from their current location to closer to the mouth of the junction.

(2) That both filter lanes on the A40 at this location should be made longer and wider.

(3) That consideration should be given to lowering the speed limit along this stretch of road, or by placing advisory speed limit signs at the location to warn motorists of the upcoming bend and junction.

(4) That filter lanes should also be introduced on the A40 for vehicles heading westbound and intending to turn left onto Redstone Road.

Responses

Welsh Government

Response received

View full response

Dear Mark,

Thank you for your email of 26 July enclosing your report following the inquest into the death of Mr Herbert John Bernard Francis.

I acknowledge the very sad circumstances surrounding the death of Mr Francis and accept that in your opinion there is a risk of future deaths at this location unless appropriate action is taken.

My officials are currently in the process of carrying out a three year speed limit review looking at road safety issues at over 600 sites on all trunk roads in Wales. I have asked my officials to ensure the concerns and recommendations raised in the report are considered as a priority as part of the review and addressed within the first tranche of sites reviewed during this financial year.

Preliminary investigations have begun to develop further overtaking opportunities & safety improvements along the length of the A40. This includes improvements at Redstone Cross.

These additional A40 improvements are included in the update of the National Transport Finance Plan (NTFP) (Page 17 ref ‘NEW2’).

plan-2017-update.pdf

We are currently looking about how these improvements can be packaged and when they can be delivered alongside other priorities in the NTFP. To date no programme has been established to deliver these improvements and one will be developed in due course.

Report Sections

Investigation and Inquest

On 9th January 2018 I commenced an investigation into the death of Herbert John Bernard Francis. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 26th July 2018. The conclusion of the inquest was road traffic collision. The medical cause of death was Ia multiple traumatic injuries Ib road traffic accident.

Circumstances of the Death

(1) Herbert John Bernard Francis was driving his Skoda motor car along the B4313 towards the A40 road at Redstone Cross. (2) Mr Francis failed to stop at the junction with the A40 and collided with an articulated heavy goods vehicle being driven along the A40. (3) As a result of injuries sustained in the collision Mr Francis died at the scene. (4) At the inquest evidence was received from a collision investigation officer, namely , who identified road defects that he believed should be rectified in the interests of public safety.

Copies Sent To

2 Cwm Aur Llanilar Aberystwyth Ceredigion SY23 4NT