David Langford
PFD Report
Partially Responded
Ref: 2025-0621
49 days overdue · 1 response outstanding
Sent To
Response Status
Responses
1 of 2
56-Day Deadline
5 Feb 2026
49 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
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The topography at the collision scene location was considered significant. A visibility mirror was present opposite the Waterloo Hill Junction and was, and in fact still is, positioned as such to provide traffic exiting the junction a view of traffic approaching on the A548 and from the Llangernyw direction.
Visibility is reduced for motorists exiting the junction to the right and those approaching from the direction of Llangernyw on the A548 by the following:-
a. The overgrown tree foliage and hedgerow running alongside the nearside of the Llanfair Talhaiarn bound lane of the A548 just prior to the area of the collision; and
b. The dull nature of the visibility’s mirror’s reflective surface which hindered the view provided, along with overgrown foliage around the mirror which obscured the view along a section of the Llanfair Talhaiarn bound lane
c. The left hand bend for those approaching the junction on the A548 from the Llangernyw direction
Witness evidence indicated that ‘…it is exceptionally dangerous’. The location has excess shrubbery that limits visibility towards the junction from Abergele direction. This is coupled with a directional mirror to assist turning onto the A548, but again, this has excess foliage’. The witness went on to say ‘I have contacted the local council to see what can be done to promote safety at this junction’.
It was noted by evidence from North Wales Police that the mirror had been replaced and the excess shrubbery and overgrowth maintained around the mirror and around the junction.
Whilst these improvements are noted there remain two concerns
1. The railings to the right of the junction are old and rusty and their position provides a barrier from view down the road. It was noted that Conwy County Borough Council had noted this and no action has yet been taken; and
2. It was noted that the stretch of road in question is subject to a national speed limit and it is a concern that this high Speed does not account for the dangerous junction at Wterloo Hill.
I am concerned that deaths will occur into the future and/or continue to occur as a result of these concerns.
The topography at the collision scene location was considered significant. A visibility mirror was present opposite the Waterloo Hill Junction and was, and in fact still is, positioned as such to provide traffic exiting the junction a view of traffic approaching on the A548 and from the Llangernyw direction.
Visibility is reduced for motorists exiting the junction to the right and those approaching from the direction of Llangernyw on the A548 by the following:-
a. The overgrown tree foliage and hedgerow running alongside the nearside of the Llanfair Talhaiarn bound lane of the A548 just prior to the area of the collision; and
b. The dull nature of the visibility’s mirror’s reflective surface which hindered the view provided, along with overgrown foliage around the mirror which obscured the view along a section of the Llanfair Talhaiarn bound lane
c. The left hand bend for those approaching the junction on the A548 from the Llangernyw direction
Witness evidence indicated that ‘…it is exceptionally dangerous’. The location has excess shrubbery that limits visibility towards the junction from Abergele direction. This is coupled with a directional mirror to assist turning onto the A548, but again, this has excess foliage’. The witness went on to say ‘I have contacted the local council to see what can be done to promote safety at this junction’.
It was noted by evidence from North Wales Police that the mirror had been replaced and the excess shrubbery and overgrowth maintained around the mirror and around the junction.
Whilst these improvements are noted there remain two concerns
1. The railings to the right of the junction are old and rusty and their position provides a barrier from view down the road. It was noted that Conwy County Borough Council had noted this and no action has yet been taken; and
2. It was noted that the stretch of road in question is subject to a national speed limit and it is a concern that this high Speed does not account for the dangerous junction at Wterloo Hill.
I am concerned that deaths will occur into the future and/or continue to occur as a result of these concerns.
Responses
Conwy County Borough Council has agreed to replace obscuring railings by March 2026 and will advertise a proposal to reduce the speed limit on the A548 to 40mph. They have also programmed improvements to traffic warning signs for completion by March 2026.
AI summary
View full response
Dear Mr. Gittins, Coroner’s Report to Prevent Future Deaths - Inquest of David Langford I am writing in response to your letter dated 11 December 2025 concerning the inquest into the death of David Langford resulting from a road traffic collision at the intersection of Waterloo Hill and the A548 near Llangernyw. The Regulation 28 Report issued by Kate Robertson, Assistant Coroner, noted that improvements had been made to visibility at the junction by removal of excess shrubbery and replacement of a visibility mirror. There remained, however, two outstanding concerns, to which the Council responds as follows:
1. The railings to the right of the junction are old and rusty and their position provides a barrier from view down the road. It was noted that Conwy County Borough Council had noted this and no action has yet been taken. These railings are privately owned and located on the property known as Pentre Smithy. The Council has approached the property owner and reached agreement to replace the railing with a more suitable boundary treatment, at the Council’s expense. This will be carried out by March 31st, 2026.
2. It was noted that the stretch of road in question is subject to a national speed limit and it is a concern that this high Speed does not account for the dangerous junction at Waterloo Hill. The Council has conducted a route speed limit review for the A548 between Llanfair TH and Llangernyw in accordance with national guidance (Setting of Local Speed Limits in Wales circular 24/2009). It is proposed to reduce the speed limit on the A548 to 40mph from a point 65 metres north of its junction with Cae Llan, Llangernyw to a point 45 metres east of the turning to Nant Mawr, a distance of approximately 4km (which includes the Waterloo Hill junction).
Adran Yr Amgylchedd, Ffyrdd a Chyfleusterau Environment, Roads & Facilities Department
Pennaeth Gwasanaeth Head of Service - Geraint Edwards, BEng(Hons) CEng FICE
Cyfeiriad Post / Postal Address: PO Box 1, Colwyn Bay, LL29 0GG Blwch Post 1, Bae Colwyn, LL29 0GG
2 / 2 2 This proposal will shortly be advertised as a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO). This requires a consultation and legal process before changes can be implemented, which may take up to 6 months, depending on any objections received. The Council has also conducted a review of existing traffic warning signs in the area and is proposing changes and improvements where required to improve driver information of potential hazards. These works are programmed to be completed by March 31st 2026. An example of the proposals, can be seen in the attached design drawings of improved traffic signage and road markings along the A458, in the vicinity of the Waterloo Hill junction’ I trust that the above provides assurance of our commitment to reduce the risk of future road traffic collisions in the area and make our roads safer for all road users.
1. The railings to the right of the junction are old and rusty and their position provides a barrier from view down the road. It was noted that Conwy County Borough Council had noted this and no action has yet been taken. These railings are privately owned and located on the property known as Pentre Smithy. The Council has approached the property owner and reached agreement to replace the railing with a more suitable boundary treatment, at the Council’s expense. This will be carried out by March 31st, 2026.
2. It was noted that the stretch of road in question is subject to a national speed limit and it is a concern that this high Speed does not account for the dangerous junction at Waterloo Hill. The Council has conducted a route speed limit review for the A548 between Llanfair TH and Llangernyw in accordance with national guidance (Setting of Local Speed Limits in Wales circular 24/2009). It is proposed to reduce the speed limit on the A548 to 40mph from a point 65 metres north of its junction with Cae Llan, Llangernyw to a point 45 metres east of the turning to Nant Mawr, a distance of approximately 4km (which includes the Waterloo Hill junction).
Adran Yr Amgylchedd, Ffyrdd a Chyfleusterau Environment, Roads & Facilities Department
Pennaeth Gwasanaeth Head of Service - Geraint Edwards, BEng(Hons) CEng FICE
Cyfeiriad Post / Postal Address: PO Box 1, Colwyn Bay, LL29 0GG Blwch Post 1, Bae Colwyn, LL29 0GG
2 / 2 2 This proposal will shortly be advertised as a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO). This requires a consultation and legal process before changes can be implemented, which may take up to 6 months, depending on any objections received. The Council has also conducted a review of existing traffic warning signs in the area and is proposing changes and improvements where required to improve driver information of potential hazards. These works are programmed to be completed by March 31st 2026. An example of the proposals, can be seen in the attached design drawings of improved traffic signage and road markings along the A458, in the vicinity of the Waterloo Hill junction’ I trust that the above provides assurance of our commitment to reduce the risk of future road traffic collisions in the area and make our roads safer for all road users.
Action Should Be Taken
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Report Sections
Investigation and Inquest
On 16 May 2024 an investigation was commenced into the death of David Paul Langford (DOB: 31 January 1994) who died on 11 May 2024. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 8 December 2025. The conclusion of the inquest was Road Traffic Collision.
Circumstances of the Death
The circumstances of the death are as follows :-
David Paul Langford was riding his KTM motorcycle along the A548 approximately 1.2 miles north of Llangernyw and approximately 4 miles south-west of Llanfair Talhaiarn, Conwy, when a collision occurred with a motor vehicle emerging from the Waterloo Hill junction which had poor visibility. David Langford was declared deceased at the scene.
David Paul Langford was riding his KTM motorcycle along the A548 approximately 1.2 miles north of Llangernyw and approximately 4 miles south-west of Llanfair Talhaiarn, Conwy, when a collision occurred with a motor vehicle emerging from the Waterloo Hill junction which had poor visibility. David Langford was declared deceased at the scene.
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Data sourced from Courts and Tribunals Judiciary under the Open Government Licence.