Donald Mitchell

PFD Report Partially Responded Ref: 2025-0042
Date of Report 17 January 2025
Coroner Patricia Morgan
Response Deadline est. 14 March 2025
377 days overdue · 1 response outstanding
Response Status
Responses 1 of 2
56-Day Deadline 14 Mar 2025
377 days past deadline — 1 response outstanding
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) Between 2015 and 2024, along the A48 between Pyle and Ewenny which is a 5.75 mile stretch of road, there have been 4 fatal collisions and 8 serious collisions. Of these collisions, 5 involved cyclists.

(2) On the basis of the evidence of the nature of the road between Ewenny roundabout and Pyle roundabout (which varies between a single and dual carriageway), the speed limit in place (which varies between 40mph and up to national speed limit), the current absence of an active travel route or modifications to the route to specifically cater for cyclist safety, along with the data available as to the number of collisions along this route relating to cyclist, I remain concerned that there is a risk of future deaths occurring along this route unless action is taken.
Responses
Bridgend County Borough Council
11 Mar 2025
Bridgend County Borough Council has submitted proposals and will lobby Welsh Government for funding for an active travel route along the A48. They also conducted a speed survey which found speeds consistent with limits and reviewed signs/markings, concluding no additional works are required at this time. AI summary
View full response
Dear cyclist day,

The section of highway where the incident occurred has unique street reference number of 47605367 and is recorded as A48 Bypass Road Broadlands Roundabout to Laleston Roundabout The 7-day average traffic flows for the period 16/1/2025-22/1/2025 on the A48 within 5Om of the junction of Wells Street where the incident occurred was 15,345. Regponge_ to concerns Raised under Regulation 28 report; To date, the following action has been taken in response to concers raised: The active travel department continue to undertake a study to provide high level options for an Active Travel Link alongside the A48 between Picton Court roundabout and Laleston Roundabout The Council reviews and updates its Iist of strategic transport schemes annually and will present to Cabinet later this year with further information on timelines and funding for all projects. The highway maintenance department continues to carry out highway defect inspections on this carriageway in alignment with the Code of Practise for Highway Maintenance and the County Surveyors Society (Wales) review of the 2016 code. The Traffic Management Department has undertaken an internal desktop review followed by site assessments of the A48 between Ewenny Roundabout and Pyle Roundabout with the outcome as follows: Existing speed limits have been assessed in line with current Setting Local Speed Limit in Wales (SLSLiW) guidance. Considering the character and nature of this road the set speed limits conform with the SLSLiW criteria, and the criteria does not recommend the use of speed limits t0 tackle individual, isolated locations_ Speed Surveys were undertaken either side of the junction of Wells Street with the A48 in January 2025. 85%ile speeds for 2-way traffic east of the junction were recorded as S4mph, whilst 85%ile speeds for 2-way traffic just west of the junction were recorded as 53mph which is consistent with the posted speed limit; Review of existing signs and road markings in line with current Traffic Signs Regulations & General Directions 2016 Guidance has been undertaken with no additional works required at this time_ Additionally, can confirm that the whole section Laleston Roundabout through to Broadlands Roundabout is in light since Apri/May 21 and fitted with LED lanterns, with connections regularly checked in accordance with maintenance procedures. Conclusion It should be noted that the serious collision investigation unit of the police have not raised concerns with the Council regarding the posted speed limits, road layout or vehicle speeds of the A48 during their investigations_ your being from

As part of our statutory functions and commitment to our communities and road safety, Bridgend County Borough Council continues t0 monitor personal injury collision data reported on the public highway to identify accident clusters and trends. Any treatable pattern of accidents identified will have proportionate remedial measures put forward for 'funding and will be prioritised against other locations across the borough: Consideration of the actions highlighted above will continue, with a view t0 determining if any improvements at this location are justified as a priority, over and above other schemes alongside our annual program of road safety schemes which are submitted to Welsh Goverment for consideration: trust you will find the Council's response as outlined above as proportionate t0 the concerns you have raised; In conclusion, the Council takes all accidents seriously , and where appropriate implements measures t0 make the highways network safer provided the threshold for number of road accidents on individual sites is met.
Report Sections
Investigation and Inquest
On 31 December 2020 I commenced an investigation into the death of Donald John Drummond MITCHELL . The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest 17/01/2025 . The conclusion of the inquest was Road Traffic Collision. The medical Cause of Death was:- 1a Blunt Head Injury, including Transection of both Internal Carotid Arteries 1b 1c II

Phone/Ffôn Fax/Ffacs
Circumstances of the Death
These were recorded as :- Donald John Drummond Mitchell was cycling from his place of work to his home on 17 December 2020. Whilst cycling along the A48 road in an eastbound direction, between the Laleston roundabout and the junction of Well Street, Mr Mitchell was struck by a vehicle travelling in the same direction. Mr Michell suffered catastrophic head injuries as a consequence of the collision and was sadly pronounced deceased at the scene. Conclusion: Road Traffic Collision
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Data sourced from Courts and Tribunals Judiciary under the Open Government Licence.