Nathan Cyster
PFD Report
Response Pending
Ref: 2026-0051
5 days left · 1 of 3 responded
Response Status
Responses
1 of 3
56-Day Deadline
31 Mar 2026
5 days left to respond
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. Hazardous Right-Turn Manoeuvre Across Multiple Lanes and Road Markings Vehicles exiting Moss Farm Shop are currently required to cross a lane of traffic approaching from their right, traverse double solid white lines, and pass through a right-turn filter lane before entering the main carriageway. This configuration necessitates crossing areas specifically marked to restrict overtaking and protect turning movements, creating a complex and potentially hazardous manoeuvre for drivers.
2. Absence of Left-Turn Only Signage at Moss Farm Shop There is no “left turn only” signage—either in the form of a mandatory highway sign or an advisory sign positioned by the Farm itself—at the Moss Farm Shop exit. This is in contrast to other nearby businesses along the A5, which display such signage to discourage or prohibit right turns across the carriageway.
3. Ineffectiveness of Road Markings in Preventing Prohibited Overtaking Although the road markings at this location—including double solid white lines and hatched areas—are intended to prohibit overtaking by vehicles (including motorcycles) travelling from Cannock and the Turf Island towards the Moss Farm junction, available evidence demonstrates that these markings are not effective in practice. CCTV analysis from the day of the collision and a separate 3-hour review period revealed that, within that window, 31 vehicles (28% of all vehicles exiting) turned right out of the Moss Farm Shop, and 7 motorcycles and 1 car overtook on the prohibited section prior to the junction.
4. Ambiguity in Legal Guidance Regarding Right Turns Across Double White Lines The inquest was told that there is ambiguity and contradiction in the guidance regarding the legality of turning right out of premises across double solid white lines at the location of Moss Farm Shop. As per the police report: “It would appear that the rules surrounding crossing double white lines to enter and exit junctions and premises is a little more ambiguous. The Highway Code mentioning only entry into, whilst a government website states entry and exit.” This contradiction may lead to different drivers having different understandings of the law and whether they would anticipate vehicles turning right out of the farm shop across double white lines. In summary, the current road layout, lack of clear signage, ineffective enforcement of road markings, and legal ambiguities potentially create a hazardous environment for road users at the Moss Farm Shop exit.
2. Absence of Left-Turn Only Signage at Moss Farm Shop There is no “left turn only” signage—either in the form of a mandatory highway sign or an advisory sign positioned by the Farm itself—at the Moss Farm Shop exit. This is in contrast to other nearby businesses along the A5, which display such signage to discourage or prohibit right turns across the carriageway.
3. Ineffectiveness of Road Markings in Preventing Prohibited Overtaking Although the road markings at this location—including double solid white lines and hatched areas—are intended to prohibit overtaking by vehicles (including motorcycles) travelling from Cannock and the Turf Island towards the Moss Farm junction, available evidence demonstrates that these markings are not effective in practice. CCTV analysis from the day of the collision and a separate 3-hour review period revealed that, within that window, 31 vehicles (28% of all vehicles exiting) turned right out of the Moss Farm Shop, and 7 motorcycles and 1 car overtook on the prohibited section prior to the junction.
4. Ambiguity in Legal Guidance Regarding Right Turns Across Double White Lines The inquest was told that there is ambiguity and contradiction in the guidance regarding the legality of turning right out of premises across double solid white lines at the location of Moss Farm Shop. As per the police report: “It would appear that the rules surrounding crossing double white lines to enter and exit junctions and premises is a little more ambiguous. The Highway Code mentioning only entry into, whilst a government website states entry and exit.” This contradiction may lead to different drivers having different understandings of the law and whether they would anticipate vehicles turning right out of the farm shop across double white lines. In summary, the current road layout, lack of clear signage, ineffective enforcement of road markings, and legal ambiguities potentially create a hazardous environment for road users at the Moss Farm Shop exit.
Responses
Response received
View full response
1
REGULATION 29 RESPONSE TO A REPORT TO PREVENT FUTURE DEATHS THIS RESPONSE IS BEING SENT TO:
The Area Coroner for the coroner area of Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent, Daniel Howe, of Swann House, Boothen Road, Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 4SY in response to a Regulation 28 Report to Prevent Future Deaths following an inquest into the death of Nathan Cyster that concluded on 27 January 2026.
1. NATIONAL HIGHWAYS
I am , Regional Director for the Midlands, National Highways Limited, Three Snowhill, Snowhill Queensway, Birmingham, B4 6GA.
National Highways was not made aware of the inquest, so we did not have an opportunity as the highway authority to assist you by answering questions at the time. However, we welcome the opportunity to address your concern relating to the highway and we hope our response assists.
On behalf of National Highways, I would like to express my deepest condolences to Mr Cyster’s family and friends and those affected by his tragic death.
2. CORONER’S MATTERS OF CONCERN
The MATTERS OF CONCERN raised are as follows:–
1. Hazardous right-turn manoeuvre across multiple lanes and road markings for vehicles exiting Moss Farm Shop when turning right.
2. Absence of left-turn only signage positioned at the exit of Moss Farm Shop.
3. Ineffectiveness of road markings at this location including double solid white lines and hatched areas in preventing prohibited overtaking by vehicles (including motorcycles) travelling from Cannock and the Turf Island towards the Moss Farm junction.
4. Ambiguity in legal guidance regarding right turns across double white lines.
5. In summary, the current road layout, lack of clear signage, ineffective enforcement of road markings, and legal ambiguities potentially create a hazardous environment for road users at the Moss Farm Shop exit.
3. DETAILS OF ACTION TAKEN
1. Right turn manoeuvre exiting Moss Farm Shop - To be answered by Moss Farm Shop. National Highways is not responsible for the control of traffic exiting a private business and is therefore unable to assist on this point.
2. Signage at exit of Moss Farm Shop - To be answered by Moss Farm Shop. National Highways is not responsible for signing located within private premises and is therefore unable to assist on this point.
3. Road markings on the A5 All Purpose Trunk Road (APTR) – National Highways Road Safety Engineers conducted a site visit to this location on 9th February 2026 to observe traffic movements, particularly any occurrences of overtaking in contravention of the double white line system. Further to this site visit engineers have undertaken an initial discussion of the results of the site observations on the 10th February 2026.
4. Legal guidance regarding right turns across double white lines - To be answered by the Department for Transport. National Highways is not responsible for the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions (TSRGD) traffic signs guidance or the Highway Code.
4. DETAILS OF FURTHER ACTION PROPOSED
2 3 – Road Markings on the A5 All Purpose Trunk Road at the location
We will investigate the location to establish if any measures can be identified to reduce the occurrence of injudicious overtaking by drivers in contravention of the double white line system. This investigation will be restricted to the A5 within our jurisdiction and will cover road markings, signing and carriageway layout.
The implementation of any potential mitigation measures identified is subject to internal funding being made available based on the prioritised need of the Midlands Region as a whole.
The responsibility for enforcement of the double white line system sits with Staffordshire Police.
5. TIMETABLE FOR ACTION DATE ACTION
By 30/06/2026 Complete the investigation into the road markings, signing and carriageway layout with a view to identifying any mitigation measures. FY 2026-27 Implement any identified measures, subject to internal funding being made available based on the prioritised need of the Midlands Region.
6.
SAFETY OF ROAD USERS
The safety of everyone on our road network matters; it is an imperative for our business in what we set out to achieve and a core value of our organisation.
Every death on our roads is a tragic loss of life and we again offer our deepest sympathies to all those affected by Mr Cyster’s death.
23rd March 2026
Signed:
Regional Director for the Midlands
REGULATION 29 RESPONSE TO A REPORT TO PREVENT FUTURE DEATHS THIS RESPONSE IS BEING SENT TO:
The Area Coroner for the coroner area of Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent, Daniel Howe, of Swann House, Boothen Road, Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 4SY in response to a Regulation 28 Report to Prevent Future Deaths following an inquest into the death of Nathan Cyster that concluded on 27 January 2026.
1. NATIONAL HIGHWAYS
I am , Regional Director for the Midlands, National Highways Limited, Three Snowhill, Snowhill Queensway, Birmingham, B4 6GA.
National Highways was not made aware of the inquest, so we did not have an opportunity as the highway authority to assist you by answering questions at the time. However, we welcome the opportunity to address your concern relating to the highway and we hope our response assists.
On behalf of National Highways, I would like to express my deepest condolences to Mr Cyster’s family and friends and those affected by his tragic death.
2. CORONER’S MATTERS OF CONCERN
The MATTERS OF CONCERN raised are as follows:–
1. Hazardous right-turn manoeuvre across multiple lanes and road markings for vehicles exiting Moss Farm Shop when turning right.
2. Absence of left-turn only signage positioned at the exit of Moss Farm Shop.
3. Ineffectiveness of road markings at this location including double solid white lines and hatched areas in preventing prohibited overtaking by vehicles (including motorcycles) travelling from Cannock and the Turf Island towards the Moss Farm junction.
4. Ambiguity in legal guidance regarding right turns across double white lines.
5. In summary, the current road layout, lack of clear signage, ineffective enforcement of road markings, and legal ambiguities potentially create a hazardous environment for road users at the Moss Farm Shop exit.
3. DETAILS OF ACTION TAKEN
1. Right turn manoeuvre exiting Moss Farm Shop - To be answered by Moss Farm Shop. National Highways is not responsible for the control of traffic exiting a private business and is therefore unable to assist on this point.
2. Signage at exit of Moss Farm Shop - To be answered by Moss Farm Shop. National Highways is not responsible for signing located within private premises and is therefore unable to assist on this point.
3. Road markings on the A5 All Purpose Trunk Road (APTR) – National Highways Road Safety Engineers conducted a site visit to this location on 9th February 2026 to observe traffic movements, particularly any occurrences of overtaking in contravention of the double white line system. Further to this site visit engineers have undertaken an initial discussion of the results of the site observations on the 10th February 2026.
4. Legal guidance regarding right turns across double white lines - To be answered by the Department for Transport. National Highways is not responsible for the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions (TSRGD) traffic signs guidance or the Highway Code.
4. DETAILS OF FURTHER ACTION PROPOSED
2 3 – Road Markings on the A5 All Purpose Trunk Road at the location
We will investigate the location to establish if any measures can be identified to reduce the occurrence of injudicious overtaking by drivers in contravention of the double white line system. This investigation will be restricted to the A5 within our jurisdiction and will cover road markings, signing and carriageway layout.
The implementation of any potential mitigation measures identified is subject to internal funding being made available based on the prioritised need of the Midlands Region as a whole.
The responsibility for enforcement of the double white line system sits with Staffordshire Police.
5. TIMETABLE FOR ACTION DATE ACTION
By 30/06/2026 Complete the investigation into the road markings, signing and carriageway layout with a view to identifying any mitigation measures. FY 2026-27 Implement any identified measures, subject to internal funding being made available based on the prioritised need of the Midlands Region.
6.
SAFETY OF ROAD USERS
The safety of everyone on our road network matters; it is an imperative for our business in what we set out to achieve and a core value of our organisation.
Every death on our roads is a tragic loss of life and we again offer our deepest sympathies to all those affected by Mr Cyster’s death.
23rd March 2026
Signed:
Regional Director for the Midlands
Report Sections
Investigation and Inquest
On 31 March 2025 I commenced an investigation into the death of Nathan Thomas CYSTER aged 28. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 27 January 2026. The conclusion of the inquest was 'Road Traffic Collision".
Circumstances of the Death
On 29 March 2025, Nathan Thomas Cyster passed away at the A5 Watling Street, following a collision between his Suzuki GSX8-S motorcycle and a BMW X5 motor car. The BMW X5 had pulled out from Moss Farm car park onto the A5 intending to turn towards Cannock and the Turf Island roundabout. In doing so it needed to enter a lane of traffic travelling from it’s right from the direction of Cannock and Turf Island roundabout, across double white lines, over a turn right lane for vehicles to enter the Farm shop from the direction of Brownhills, before joining the carriageway towards Cannock. The BMW X5 commenced the manoeuvre after the driver of a Suzuki Swift car travelling from the Turf Island roundabout flashed its headlights. At this time two motorcycles, including that ridden by the deceased, overtook the slower moving traffic, including the Suzuki swift, by crossing solid white double lines and white diagonally lined hatched area. The lead motorcycle avoided the BMW X5 which had pulled onto the carriageway, however the deceased’s motorcycle collided with the offside of the BMW causing him to be thrown from his motorcycle and sustain fatal injuries which resulted in him passing away at the scene.
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Data sourced from Courts and Tribunals Judiciary under the Open Government Licence.