Dear Madam,

RE: Response to Regulation 28 Report

Thank you for providing Medway Council with a Regulation 28 Report to Prevent Future Deaths, dated 1 March 2024, in relation to an incident on the A229 Maidstone Road, Chatham, on 26 July
2023.

We are always deeply saddened to learn of loss of life on Medway’s roads, and I would like to extend my heartfelt condolences to the family and loved ones of the deceased.

I write to provide you with Medway Council’s response to the Regulation 28 Report, in accordance with our duty to do so.

As set out within Section 5 of the Regulation 28 Report, the incident occurred at a point on Maidstone Road, Chatham, where there are no formal pedestrian crossing facilities. As also noted within the Report, there is a controlled pedestrian crossing facility to the north (74m away) of this location. At present there is an existing paved area within the central reserve which can be accessed by road users, should they choose to. As noted, this location does not benefit from traffic controlling facilities, and is therefore currently uncontrolled in nature.

This location has not previously come to the attention of the Council in relation to concern for safety, nor collision occurrence. Following becoming aware of the fatal collision, the safety history of this location was investigated. This indicated that prior to the tragic incident of July 2023, there had no collisions involving pedestrians recorded during the previous five years of operation on or around this part of Maidstone Road. Notwithstanding this, in response to the clear Coroner’s concerns raised, Medway Council shall programme a safety scheme to investigate the potential for safety enhancements at and/or approaching this location. This might involve for example consideration of signs and lines or layout changes.

In order to consider any amendments to the existing layout and ensure no detriment to safety as a result of any amendments, Medway Council shall instigate a safety scheme which aims to aid safe operation at this location. Any amendments will be determined by the appropriate and proper study.

2 This piece of work will be included within the programme of projects commencing from April 2024. It is typical for such projects to be progressed as part of a programme under the Council’s Local Transport Plan for the financial year. The delivery timescales of any resultant amendments may be dependent on the scale of those amendments along with any associated necessary processes or works, however, it is anticipated that any resulting amendments would be delivered as soon as available within the 2024/25 programme.

Should you require clarification in relation to the above, or require any further information, please do let me know.