Kenneth Aldridge
PFD Report
All Responded
Ref: 2014-0071
All 1 response received
· Deadline: 25 Apr 2014
Response Status
Responses
1 of 1
56-Day Deadline
25 Apr 2014
All responses received
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) For a vehicle to turn in to the service road running parallel to the A4 it would be necessary to slow considerably and then effect the manoeuvre. It is not possible to make a complete manoeuvre round to the left without then forming a u-turn which is not possible without either reversing and going forward again or encroaching onto the outside lane of the A4 to make a sweeping manoeuvre into the access.
(2) In the course of the evidence, the Collision Investigator who investigated the crash on behalf of Thames Valley Police suggested that the ability to make such a manoeuvre on a fast dual carriageway is potentially dangerous. While the Officer expressed concerns about turning in, he was also concerned about vehicles pulling out of the service road on to the dual carriageway.
(3) The evidence therefore gave rise to concern at the appropriateness of having an access to the service road at such a location, particularly given a speed limit of 70 miles per hour at that point.
(2) In the course of the evidence, the Collision Investigator who investigated the crash on behalf of Thames Valley Police suggested that the ability to make such a manoeuvre on a fast dual carriageway is potentially dangerous. While the Officer expressed concerns about turning in, he was also concerned about vehicles pulling out of the service road on to the dual carriageway.
(3) The evidence therefore gave rise to concern at the appropriateness of having an access to the service road at such a location, particularly given a speed limit of 70 miles per hour at that point.
Responses
Response received
View full response
Dear Mr Bedford Report to Prevent Future Deaths Thank you for your letter dated 24th February 2014 concerning the Inquest following the recent death of Mr Kenneth Gerald Aldridgeorcere 7g at Paaqetft report This section of the A4 has been the subject of some investigation, which have outlined below: Speed Limits The speed limit on the A4 between the two A340 roundabouts was considered Councirs Speed Limit Task Group at is meeting_nOprdZdshen coaidegeeed tte further traffic survey information was required. This section was considered that December 2010 when it was agreed to introduce a 5Omph speed limit to again in junctions with Beenham Industrial Estate and Beenham village. The task cover the agreed that the existing speed limit On the remaining dength aethe Ae faicgroncluded the dual carriageway, was appropriate. An objection was received during the statutory consultation and advertisement of the SOmph speed limit; which was considered by Individual Decision (ID) with recommendation to install the SOmph speed limit. The recommendation was agreed but the decision was 'called in' by five Councillors. A copy of ID report is enclosed for your records_ The reasons for call in were considered by the Overview ad Scrutiny Commission during 2012 cvnergereas resoevedveratemheand SathtiRoadapageroent Proposed Sfmph Speed Limit be referred back to the Portfolio Holder for Highways for reconsideration' . Continued Switchboard; (01635) 42400 Rgteener Document Exchange: DX 30825 Newbury Beason 2005 ,0G7 5c ' = Minicom: (01635) 519001 Authority :5 2 Wes ( Berkshire Mwisi in/m; Website: wwm westberks govuk the the May
The reasons for call in and the reconsideration of the speed limit again by the speed limit task group at its meeting in August 2012. were considered by Individual Decision report (ID 2470 A) on 20"h September 2012 This was followed 'That the proposed speed limit is introduced with when it was agreed the start of the speed limit at the eastern end being located approximately 140 metres to the west of its advertised location as shown on Plan No SLR/10/0A/OO2B (Appendix C). The matter was again raised at meeting of the task group o 7th March 2014 to resolve if the section of dual carriageway needs to be reconsidered_ The task were informed of your report, local residents concerns and the group Tratfic MVanagemen: AssessmenccTNeSice68ts corceragreed that feeospeeendatiodo in not need to be reconsidered but consideration needs limit does to be given to the installation of pedestrian warning signs between bus stops and measures to assist access and egress to the entrances within the length of dual carriageway: Recorded Injury Accidents Within the latest three period to the end of_January 2014 there have been 8 recorded injury accidents on the A4 between the SOmph speed limit and (100 neetres east of its junction with Ufton Lane_ These resulted in fatal, 2 serious and 5 injuries being received. slight Of these 6 were within 100 metres of the Ufton Lane junction and resulted in 2 and 4 slight injury accidents. 3 of the accidents involved eastbound vehicles. serious The other two involved the recent fatal accident and slight accident when travelling eastbound changed lanes_ HGV have checked the accident data back to January 1994 to determine the number of injury accidents that have involved entranceslexits and below is summary of the results: 1 accident occurred in April 1998 at Max's Cafe when vehicle failed to way when entering the A4; give There have been no accidents involving the first service road entrancelexit; There have 3 accidents at the second service road entrancelexit; these all involved U-Turning vehicles at gap in the central reservation; but The third entrance at the Comfort Hotel is within the SOmph speed limit and therefore has been excluded my analysis_ These results do not indicate that the entranceslexits on to the A4 are unsafe. particularly Continued the year been the from
Traffic Management Assessment 168 TMA was undertaken on the dual carriageway section of the A4 2013 and considered the recorded injury accident record, traffic during November and comments local residents_ It speeds and volume was recommended to improve the signing at its junction with Ufton Lane, and install an additional 'No sign. These works are identified for implementation as part of the approved Traffic and Road Safety works programme 2014/15. have enclosed copy of the assessment for your records. Access Improvements The two lanes for westbound traffic could be reduced to one lane so that traffic travels in the middle of the carriageway as shown on the enclosed plan TM213/001 . would have the effect of creating small deceleration lanes into This visibility for traffic entering the A4. accesses and improving To improve access into the service road the first entrance could be blocked up and new access created as shown on the enclosed plan 213/002, This would prevent 'U turn' manoeuvres However this could have the effect of vehicles entering the service road at speed_ Due to the change in the nature of the road it is proposed to consult the local ward members and parish councils on the proposals and will contact when have received the comments to the consultation. you believe we are addressing the matters of concern described in your report but should you have any queries then please do not hesitate to contact me_
The reasons for call in and the reconsideration of the speed limit again by the speed limit task group at its meeting in August 2012. were considered by Individual Decision report (ID 2470 A) on 20"h September 2012 This was followed 'That the proposed speed limit is introduced with when it was agreed the start of the speed limit at the eastern end being located approximately 140 metres to the west of its advertised location as shown on Plan No SLR/10/0A/OO2B (Appendix C). The matter was again raised at meeting of the task group o 7th March 2014 to resolve if the section of dual carriageway needs to be reconsidered_ The task were informed of your report, local residents concerns and the group Tratfic MVanagemen: AssessmenccTNeSice68ts corceragreed that feeospeeendatiodo in not need to be reconsidered but consideration needs limit does to be given to the installation of pedestrian warning signs between bus stops and measures to assist access and egress to the entrances within the length of dual carriageway: Recorded Injury Accidents Within the latest three period to the end of_January 2014 there have been 8 recorded injury accidents on the A4 between the SOmph speed limit and (100 neetres east of its junction with Ufton Lane_ These resulted in fatal, 2 serious and 5 injuries being received. slight Of these 6 were within 100 metres of the Ufton Lane junction and resulted in 2 and 4 slight injury accidents. 3 of the accidents involved eastbound vehicles. serious The other two involved the recent fatal accident and slight accident when travelling eastbound changed lanes_ HGV have checked the accident data back to January 1994 to determine the number of injury accidents that have involved entranceslexits and below is summary of the results: 1 accident occurred in April 1998 at Max's Cafe when vehicle failed to way when entering the A4; give There have been no accidents involving the first service road entrancelexit; There have 3 accidents at the second service road entrancelexit; these all involved U-Turning vehicles at gap in the central reservation; but The third entrance at the Comfort Hotel is within the SOmph speed limit and therefore has been excluded my analysis_ These results do not indicate that the entranceslexits on to the A4 are unsafe. particularly Continued the year been the from
Traffic Management Assessment 168 TMA was undertaken on the dual carriageway section of the A4 2013 and considered the recorded injury accident record, traffic during November and comments local residents_ It speeds and volume was recommended to improve the signing at its junction with Ufton Lane, and install an additional 'No sign. These works are identified for implementation as part of the approved Traffic and Road Safety works programme 2014/15. have enclosed copy of the assessment for your records. Access Improvements The two lanes for westbound traffic could be reduced to one lane so that traffic travels in the middle of the carriageway as shown on the enclosed plan TM213/001 . would have the effect of creating small deceleration lanes into This visibility for traffic entering the A4. accesses and improving To improve access into the service road the first entrance could be blocked up and new access created as shown on the enclosed plan 213/002, This would prevent 'U turn' manoeuvres However this could have the effect of vehicles entering the service road at speed_ Due to the change in the nature of the road it is proposed to consult the local ward members and parish councils on the proposals and will contact when have received the comments to the consultation. you believe we are addressing the matters of concern described in your report but should you have any queries then please do not hesitate to contact me_
Report Sections
Investigation and Inquest
On 24th December 2012 I commenced an investigation into the death of Kenneth Gerald Aldridge then aged sixty eight years. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 29th January 2014. The conclusion of the inquest was road traffic collision, the medical cause of death being blunt head injury.
Circumstances of the Death
Mr Aldridge was the driver of a motor car involved in a collision with a second vehicle on the A4 near Woolhampton in West Berkshire.
The A4 at the scene is a dual carriageway and the vehicles appeared to have come together side by side and, despite a relatively slight impact, Mr Aldridge’s vehicle left the road and crashed into a tree.
At the time of the contact between the two vehicles, the other vehicle was preparing to turn into a service road separated from the A4 by a paved area and wooden fencing. There are gaps in this divide to allow vehicular access and egress to and from the service road.
The A4 at the scene is a dual carriageway and the vehicles appeared to have come together side by side and, despite a relatively slight impact, Mr Aldridge’s vehicle left the road and crashed into a tree.
At the time of the contact between the two vehicles, the other vehicle was preparing to turn into a service road separated from the A4 by a paved area and wooden fencing. There are gaps in this divide to allow vehicular access and egress to and from the service road.
Copies Sent To
of Mr Aldridge
Peter J. Bedford Senior Coroner for Berkshire
Similar PFD Reports
Reports sharing organisations, categories, or themes with this PFD
Related Inquiry Recommendations
Public inquiry recommendations addressing similar themes
Revise signal sighting standard to explicitly consider signal readability
Ladbroke Grove Inquiry
Hazardous road design
Define additional time required for reading gantry-mounted and complex signals
Ladbroke Grove Inquiry
Hazardous road design
Clarify "very short duration" definition within the signal sighting standard
Ladbroke Grove Inquiry
Hazardous road design
Identify and retrospectively review locations affected by "very short duration" ambiguity
Ladbroke Grove Inquiry
Hazardous road design
Clarify "overhead line equipment" in signal sighting standard to mean wires and droppers
Ladbroke Grove Inquiry
Hazardous road design
Define acceptable limits for temporary signal obscuration in sighting standards
Ladbroke Grove Inquiry
Hazardous road design
Explicitly define cab sight lines for signal positioning based on driver's eye
Ladbroke Grove Inquiry
Hazardous road design
Railtrack to conduct safety examination of Paddington station layout and operations.
Ladbroke Grove Inquiry
Hazardous road design
Data sourced from Courts and Tribunals Judiciary under the Open Government Licence.