Frazer Golden
PFD Report
All Responded
Ref: 2020-0197
All 1 response received
· Deadline: 30 Nov 2020
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56-Day Deadline
30 Nov 2020
All responses received
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Source: Courts and Tribunals Judiciary
Coroner’s Concerns
The MATTERS OF CONCERNS are as follows: I heard evidence from 2 police collision experts who could not explain in their examination of the A689 road between Ireshopeburn & St Johns Chapel why SLOW road markings were displayed on the carriageway when immediately leaving these 2 villages and the 30mph limit and entering a 60mph limit. The evidence heard was that it would appear to be confusing that a warning to SLOW was displayed when the immediately adjacent signs were confirming a change in speed limit from 30 to 60 mph. Evidence was also heard that at the collision location near Whit’s Hill on the A689 road between the 2 villages there is a bend where forward visibility is reduced. This is accepted in a Durham County Council Highways report read as evidence at the inquest. There are no warning signs or double white hazard warning lines approaching the bend or at the bend in either direction. The police experts further opined that a speed travelled by one of the motorcyclists into the bend of 51mph was not supported when considering the reduced view created by the bend. The speed limit in this area of the A689 is 60 mph.
Responses
Response received
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Dear Mr Thompson
Regulation 28 – Frazer Golden (Inquest 18th April 2017)
Thank you for your correspondence dated 5th October 2020 which Chief Executive, has asked me to respond to.
Site Investigation Following Fatal Accident Report The Council has an Accident Investigation and Prevention Team and one of its roles is to investigate every fatal road traffic accident, on the council’s highway network, in conjunction with Durham Constabulary’s Traffic Management Unit. Please find attached a copy of the Accident Report (M/TS05/17). These reports are undertaken to identify any defects or improvements to the highway street furniture and infrastructure.
The report made the following observation / recommendation Although not considered contributory factors of this accident, it is suggested that Durham County Council Technical Services highway maintenance personnel address the following observations through the recommendations provided:
A missing gully cover was identified within the north westbound channel, at a point approximately 70 metres northwest of the access road to Whit’s Hill dwelling. The relevant highway maintenance personnel should assess the issue and take appropriate action.
The above item has been actioned and remedial measures implemented.
Regulation 28 Report In your report of the 5th October 2020 you refer to three specific items for the council, as the highway authority for the A689, to address namely;
1. Why SLOW road markings were displayed on the carriageway when immediately leaving these 2 villages and the 30mph limit and entering a 60mph limit;
2. There are no warning signs;
3. Double white hazard warning lines approaching the bend in either direction. . After receiving your letter a road safety and traffic management engineer from the council visited the site on the morning of Thursday 22nd October 2020 and has carried out a review of the personal injury accident record for the A689 between Ireshopeburn and St. John’s Chapel. There has been one other accident in the past 10years, occurring 260metres northwest of Whit’s Hill, which involved a bird colliding with a motorcyclist who impacted against a lamp column and suffered fatal injuries.
The Council’s Response and Proposed Course of Action. The council’s response and proposed course of action are:
• The two SLOW road markings: there is no valid road safety / traffic management reason for these road markings. . As such, I will arrange to have the two road markings removed;
• Bend warning signs: a bend warning sign will be erected on both approaches to the bend;
• Double White Lines: the installation of a system of double white lines at this location is not considered appropriate as the road’s layout does not meet the criteria for this type of intervention as set out in the Traffic Signs Manual Chapter 5 Road Markings 2018. As stated in the Manual “It is important to note that the marking is not to be used where appropriate criteria are not satisfied otherwise it will be brought into disrepute”. It is also noted that the accident did not involve an overtaking manoeuvre
It is the intention of the council to implement the above-mentioned measures by 31st March 2021. This timescale reflects the backlog in the council’s highway works caused by the Covid 19 Lockdown measures.
Once again I wish to offer my condolences to Frazer Golden’s family and friends on their loss. I trust the above provides a considered response to your correspondence.
Should you wish to discuss further, please do not hesitate to contact , Street Works Permit Scheme Project Manager, on telephone number 03000 or by email at @durham.gov.uk
Regulation 28 – Frazer Golden (Inquest 18th April 2017)
Thank you for your correspondence dated 5th October 2020 which Chief Executive, has asked me to respond to.
Site Investigation Following Fatal Accident Report The Council has an Accident Investigation and Prevention Team and one of its roles is to investigate every fatal road traffic accident, on the council’s highway network, in conjunction with Durham Constabulary’s Traffic Management Unit. Please find attached a copy of the Accident Report (M/TS05/17). These reports are undertaken to identify any defects or improvements to the highway street furniture and infrastructure.
The report made the following observation / recommendation Although not considered contributory factors of this accident, it is suggested that Durham County Council Technical Services highway maintenance personnel address the following observations through the recommendations provided:
A missing gully cover was identified within the north westbound channel, at a point approximately 70 metres northwest of the access road to Whit’s Hill dwelling. The relevant highway maintenance personnel should assess the issue and take appropriate action.
The above item has been actioned and remedial measures implemented.
Regulation 28 Report In your report of the 5th October 2020 you refer to three specific items for the council, as the highway authority for the A689, to address namely;
1. Why SLOW road markings were displayed on the carriageway when immediately leaving these 2 villages and the 30mph limit and entering a 60mph limit;
2. There are no warning signs;
3. Double white hazard warning lines approaching the bend in either direction. . After receiving your letter a road safety and traffic management engineer from the council visited the site on the morning of Thursday 22nd October 2020 and has carried out a review of the personal injury accident record for the A689 between Ireshopeburn and St. John’s Chapel. There has been one other accident in the past 10years, occurring 260metres northwest of Whit’s Hill, which involved a bird colliding with a motorcyclist who impacted against a lamp column and suffered fatal injuries.
The Council’s Response and Proposed Course of Action. The council’s response and proposed course of action are:
• The two SLOW road markings: there is no valid road safety / traffic management reason for these road markings. . As such, I will arrange to have the two road markings removed;
• Bend warning signs: a bend warning sign will be erected on both approaches to the bend;
• Double White Lines: the installation of a system of double white lines at this location is not considered appropriate as the road’s layout does not meet the criteria for this type of intervention as set out in the Traffic Signs Manual Chapter 5 Road Markings 2018. As stated in the Manual “It is important to note that the marking is not to be used where appropriate criteria are not satisfied otherwise it will be brought into disrepute”. It is also noted that the accident did not involve an overtaking manoeuvre
It is the intention of the council to implement the above-mentioned measures by 31st March 2021. This timescale reflects the backlog in the council’s highway works caused by the Covid 19 Lockdown measures.
Once again I wish to offer my condolences to Frazer Golden’s family and friends on their loss. I trust the above provides a considered response to your correspondence.
Should you wish to discuss further, please do not hesitate to contact , Street Works Permit Scheme Project Manager, on telephone number 03000 or by email at @durham.gov.uk
Report Sections
Investigation and Inquest
On Eighteenth April 2017 I commenced an investigation into the death of Frazer GOLDEN aged 30. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 2nd October 2020. The conclusion of the inquest was: Road Traffic Collision and the medical cause of death was: I a Head,Neck and Chest Injuries
Circumstances of the Death
Frazer Golden died on 9th April 2017 on the A689 road near Whit's Hill, St John's Chapel, County Durham after his motorcycle & another motorcycle collided, the resultant injuries sustained by him caused his death.
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Data sourced from Courts and Tribunals Judiciary under the Open Government Licence.