Esther Hartsilver
PFD Report
All Responded
Ref: 2017-0052
All 2 responses received
· Deadline: 17 Apr 2017
Sent To
Response Status
Responses
2 of 2
56-Day Deadline
17 Apr 2017
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
This report concerns the design of the junction of Denmark Hill with Orpheus Street 'the junction") The junction predisposes itself to the very risk materialising that caused Miss Hartsilver's death: Traffic wishing to turn left may, at the moment; turn left from Lane 2 This means that cross a lane of traffic that may well be travelling straight ahead. Miss Hartsilver was an experienced London cyclist and the HGV driver an experienced driver also. It is the junction that is unusual: It may not be unusual for a lorry turning into a side road to have to cross a bus lane. This junction can be distinguished from this, however This is a more major junction than it appears _ It is major because it feeds all the traffic that would have wanted to turn right as well as left; from a very busy road into what is effectively a side road. Further; it has a pedestrian crossing just before it This means that although there is an early sign warning traffic of the banned right turn and to turn left instead, there are mandatory zig-zag lines on the road leading up to the junction and therefore there is no signage on the road surface warning any user of the potential for conflict The red coloured road surface that is present in bus lane goes across this junction and will make vehicles think it is still a bus lane. Officially, the bus lane stops because the zig-zags take over as there is a pedestrian crossing present immediately before the turning on the left I accept that changing the layout of the junction requires experts to consider the safety of not cyclists of other road users and pedestrians too. The problems also must not be moved to another geographical location: road, also, is 'what it is' relatively narrow road for the amount of traffic it serves_ fully appreciate the difficulties and challenges in catering for the huge amount of traffic whilst keeping safety as a high priority. This is a complex matter and different risks must be weighed up carefully. There are a large number of buses flowing at this junction. There are 80 buses in each direction hour: It is under consideration moving the pedestrian crossing further north Iam told if the bus lane were to end earlier there would still be a risk with larger vehicles needing to swing into lane 2, from lane 1, in turning the corner: It would not reduce the risk t0 zero. understand all that was cycling in that bus lane; even having seen the sign saying that there is a left turn for those wanting to turn right ahead, would not be reminded of the risk of vehicles turning by anything in the road layout There is also a significant amount of traffic turning across a bus lane: says that she saw a number of near misses when she visited the scene soon after the incident She explains a near miss would be where a cyclist; for instance, would_have to stop or slow to avoid a collision with traffic turning_ lorry lorry sadly they the just The very every am concerned that says that there have been 18 collisions (reportable collision involving personal injury) in 5 years ending June 2016. Involved were motorcyclists, pedestrians cyclists and one involving two cars_ This junction essentially comes under the shared care of both Transport for London ("TfL") and the London Borough of Southwark; both have different functions and duties but it would take both working together to agree a change to the design; As this case tragically shows, cyclists are at high risk of severe injury and death if come into collision with other road users. write this report to ask that the experts in TfL and the London Borough of Southwark come together (with the assistance of the police) to explore what can be done t0 reduce the risk to all vulnerable road users at this junction: Since 2011 there has been an application in place to improve Camberwell and in particular two large junctions, and within this proposal the Orpheus road junction is included, My understanding of that proposal is that there are still fairly major decisions to be made about; for instance whether it would beneficial or not to allow traffic travelling in the direction Miss Hartsilver was travelling to turn right or whether the current system of traffic turning left stays. The family think that changes have been put into place in the junction, as a temporary measure_ have not: It has already been decided by the London Borough of Southwark not to put in temporary measures in the junction as it was judged that such measures would not minimise the risk to_ vulnerable road users such as cyclists
Responses
Response received
View full response
Dear Ms Ormond-Walshe, Re: Regulation 28: Report to Prevent Future _Deaths_ Esther Hartsilver The London Borough Southwark ('Southwark') is in receipt of your; Regulation 28 (Report to Prevent Future Deaths) in relation to the death of Esther Hartsilver In your report; you required Southwark and Transport for London (TfL), together with assistance from the police, to give further consideration to the design of the junction of Denmark Hill with Orpheus Street and to: 1_ Consider modifications to this junction now, as an interim measure; and thereon 2 The safety of cyclists (and other vulnerable road users) should continue to be a major consideration at this junction when the final decisions are made about the larger planned improvement of Camberwell: As Southwark is the Highway Authority for the Denmark Hill Orpheus Street junction, we have taken the lead in relation to this_ Responsibilities of Southwark and TfL As you are aware, Southwark is the Highway Authority for Denmark Hill, Orpheus Street and the junctions of Orpheus Street and Coldharbour Lane respectively with Denmark Hill and is responsible for the maintenance and repair, road design and layout on these roads and junctions_ Although Southwark is the Highway Authority for this area, TfL is the traffic authority for part of Denmark Hill from the junction with Camberwell New Road to the controlled pedestrian crossing immediately to the north of the junction with Orpheus Street and is responsible for the maintenance , management and operation of the controlled crossing_ Southwak Council, Fo BOx 64529, London SLIP SLX southwarkgov,uk {acebook cousoulhwa kcocncil twillen cordb_scuthwark (Southwork
Denmark Hill is also part of the designated Strategic Route Network (SRN) in London: This means that although Southwark is the Highway and Traffic Authority for this area that it must notify TfL of any proposals which may have an impact on the Strategic Route Network_ TfL must give approval to any such proposals before can be implemented: As such, any changes to road design in this area cannot be made unilaterally if may impact on the SRN, which anything altering the traffic flow along Denmark Hill may do. Further Consideration of Safety Improvements site meeting was held at 8am on the 9 March 2017 and representatives from all three organisations (Southwark, TfL and the police) were present: The meeting was specifically held so that those present could consider the issues during the morning 'rush hour' period_ The meeting recommended the following should be considered: Interim safety improvements The following interim safety improvements were agreed to proceed to design and implement if feasible by Southwark: Cycle symbol markings being painted on Denmark Hill, at the junction with Orpheus Street to highlight presence of cyclists the nearside lane; 2 The removal of bus lane line on the southbound lane between bus stop and the existing pelican crossing zig-zag lines; and 3 The installation of left turn lane arrows on the nearside lane, and through arrows on the offside lane between bus stop Q and the existing pelican crossing zig-zag lines, subject to available space Long-term safety improvements The following long-term safety improvements were agreed to proceed and be implemented by Southwark as part of the Denmark Hill town centre upgrade project (during 2017-18) , subject to design; feasibility and safety audit: 1_ Cycle symbol markings on Denmark Hill; at the junction with Orpheus Street to highlight presence of cyclists the nearside lane. Imprint marking to minimise maintenance requirements; 2_ The installation of left turn lane arrows on the nearside and through arrows on the offside lane between the newly located bus stop (located between Butterfly Walk and Orpheus Street) , subject to available space_ Imprint marking to minimise maintenance requirements; 3 The installation of an advisory sign to indicate, nearside lane left turning only 'except buses' , and offside lane through only; (see image directly below)
Southwark Cotincil, PO BOX 64520,Loixon SEIP 51X southwark gjov uk lacebsonk consouthwarkcouncil (witler condb_soulliwark they they using using lane,
Except Buses 4_ The installation of treatment (whereby the entrance to the side road is raised to the level of the adjacent footway, to encourage vehicles turning into the side road to slow down on the approach) on Orpheus Street at the junction with Denmark Hill. The photograph below shows the treatment applied to another junction within the borough and it is intended to apply similar treatment to the junction of Orpheus Street/Denmark Hill:
5. Resurfacing the road . The sign proposed in the long-term solution was considered as an interim option but; unfortunately, there were no suitable locations to site the sign 3 of 6 the current positions of the bus stops and the pelican crossing: Southwark Council, PO BOX 64529, London SETP SLX southwatk gov.uk Hacehool:,conisoulhiarkcourcil twitlescomilbsouiliwark entry entry duepage =
Interim safety improvements Following this site visit Southwark have designed the interim safety improvements to ensure that are feasible and are therefore able to be laid The proposals were sent to the works contractor on 13 March for implementation and the changes were introduced on 21 March 2017 . Photographs showing the completed interim measures appear below Having implemented these interim measures a further site visit took place on 7 April; again in the morning rush hour; where all three organisations were represented: All those present agreed that the interim measures had significantly improved the visual awareness of cyclists and the junction; and whilst no formal monitoring has been carried out; there was anecdotal evidence of improved driver behaviour Long-term safety improvements_ Southwark with its partners is committed to making improvements in Camberwell Town Centre, this has proved difficult on Southwark's road network; particularly along Denmark Hill and its junctions with Orpheus Street and Coldharbour Lane_ The original proposals by Southwark included reintroducing right turn from Denmark Hill into Coldharbour Lane and to allow for traffic to travel in both directions along_
Soliuw vark Mils_souilawaik they
Daneville Road rather than the current arrangement which only allows traffic to travel one way towards Coldharbour Lane: Although these proposals would limit the number of vehicles that turn left into Orpheus Street in order to continue into Coldharbour Lane , they raised considerable concerns in terms of both safety and congestion, including: (a) The introduction of two way working on Daneville Road would reduce capacity on Denmark Hill; as it reduces the exit onto Denmark Hill from two lanes to one lane adding to delays These delays would primarily affect buses that use this location to terminate Discussions and consideration of these proposals have concluded that there are no other viable locations in the immediate area for this facility for the termination of buses. Delays to buses would also clearly impact on other traffic using the roads in this area and increase congestion even further; (b) In relation to the re-introduction of the right-turn into Coldharbour Lane the biggest impact was in terms of safety. Right turns at traffic signals are considered high-risk manoeuvre, as in this case, it relies on drivers anticipating gaps in opposing traffic streams, this is often compounded at night when speeds can be higher. In addition , both cyclists and motor cyclists are vulnerable in these situations as drivers can and do fail to see road users, In both London, and within Southwark, 25% of all collisions at Traffic Signals involve right turning vehicle_ This is often why such turns are banned or are given their own stage where they are not in conflict with other vehicles. At this location, this is not achievable_ Given these issues Southwark's Proposals have been revised and these are summarised below. Southwark's long-term proposals, following from the approval of the TfL scheme, now include the following:
1. The introduction of two new pelican crossings (by Love Walk and Camberwell Passage); 2 The relocation of Orpheus Street controlled pedestrian crossing northwards towards Butterfly Walk shopping centre;
3. Introduction of junction treatment across Orpheus Street at its junction with Denmark and 4 Resurfacing of the Denmark Hill carriageway together with footway renewals These proposals are in addition to the implementation of the measures outlined at the 9 March meeting and set out above. These proposals are currently at the stage of detailed design and it is intended and envisaged that they will be implemented during 2017-18, subject to statutory consultation, and approvals being obtained;, including necessary approval from TfL.
Souitinvark Cotlricil, PO BOX 64529_ Lorcion SEiP SLX southwark gov.uk (acebcok consouhwarkcouncil twilter crtr/lb_Souihwwvaik the Hill;
TfL's proposals for the main Camberwell Town Centre junction were considered and approved by TFL's Road Space Protection Group on 16 March 2017 and will be consulted on 2017-18 and with a view to implementation in 2018-19. hope that the information provided offers assurances that the findings of your investigations and areas you have highlighted for the prevention of future deaths have been further considered and have resulted in action with the aim of improving road safety in the area and preventing future deaths The safety of cyclists (and other vulnerable road users) is, and will continue to be major consideration at this junction, as it is generally throughout the Borough, and will remain at the forefront of_ our minds when designing, consulting and implementing the future larger planned improvement of Camberwell:
Denmark Hill is also part of the designated Strategic Route Network (SRN) in London: This means that although Southwark is the Highway and Traffic Authority for this area that it must notify TfL of any proposals which may have an impact on the Strategic Route Network_ TfL must give approval to any such proposals before can be implemented: As such, any changes to road design in this area cannot be made unilaterally if may impact on the SRN, which anything altering the traffic flow along Denmark Hill may do. Further Consideration of Safety Improvements site meeting was held at 8am on the 9 March 2017 and representatives from all three organisations (Southwark, TfL and the police) were present: The meeting was specifically held so that those present could consider the issues during the morning 'rush hour' period_ The meeting recommended the following should be considered: Interim safety improvements The following interim safety improvements were agreed to proceed to design and implement if feasible by Southwark: Cycle symbol markings being painted on Denmark Hill, at the junction with Orpheus Street to highlight presence of cyclists the nearside lane; 2 The removal of bus lane line on the southbound lane between bus stop and the existing pelican crossing zig-zag lines; and 3 The installation of left turn lane arrows on the nearside lane, and through arrows on the offside lane between bus stop Q and the existing pelican crossing zig-zag lines, subject to available space Long-term safety improvements The following long-term safety improvements were agreed to proceed and be implemented by Southwark as part of the Denmark Hill town centre upgrade project (during 2017-18) , subject to design; feasibility and safety audit: 1_ Cycle symbol markings on Denmark Hill; at the junction with Orpheus Street to highlight presence of cyclists the nearside lane. Imprint marking to minimise maintenance requirements; 2_ The installation of left turn lane arrows on the nearside and through arrows on the offside lane between the newly located bus stop (located between Butterfly Walk and Orpheus Street) , subject to available space_ Imprint marking to minimise maintenance requirements; 3 The installation of an advisory sign to indicate, nearside lane left turning only 'except buses' , and offside lane through only; (see image directly below)
Southwark Cotincil, PO BOX 64520,Loixon SEIP 51X southwark gjov uk lacebsonk consouthwarkcouncil (witler condb_soulliwark they they using using lane,
Except Buses 4_ The installation of treatment (whereby the entrance to the side road is raised to the level of the adjacent footway, to encourage vehicles turning into the side road to slow down on the approach) on Orpheus Street at the junction with Denmark Hill. The photograph below shows the treatment applied to another junction within the borough and it is intended to apply similar treatment to the junction of Orpheus Street/Denmark Hill:
5. Resurfacing the road . The sign proposed in the long-term solution was considered as an interim option but; unfortunately, there were no suitable locations to site the sign 3 of 6 the current positions of the bus stops and the pelican crossing: Southwark Council, PO BOX 64529, London SETP SLX southwatk gov.uk Hacehool:,conisoulhiarkcourcil twitlescomilbsouiliwark entry entry duepage =
Interim safety improvements Following this site visit Southwark have designed the interim safety improvements to ensure that are feasible and are therefore able to be laid The proposals were sent to the works contractor on 13 March for implementation and the changes were introduced on 21 March 2017 . Photographs showing the completed interim measures appear below Having implemented these interim measures a further site visit took place on 7 April; again in the morning rush hour; where all three organisations were represented: All those present agreed that the interim measures had significantly improved the visual awareness of cyclists and the junction; and whilst no formal monitoring has been carried out; there was anecdotal evidence of improved driver behaviour Long-term safety improvements_ Southwark with its partners is committed to making improvements in Camberwell Town Centre, this has proved difficult on Southwark's road network; particularly along Denmark Hill and its junctions with Orpheus Street and Coldharbour Lane_ The original proposals by Southwark included reintroducing right turn from Denmark Hill into Coldharbour Lane and to allow for traffic to travel in both directions along_
Soliuw vark Mils_souilawaik they
Daneville Road rather than the current arrangement which only allows traffic to travel one way towards Coldharbour Lane: Although these proposals would limit the number of vehicles that turn left into Orpheus Street in order to continue into Coldharbour Lane , they raised considerable concerns in terms of both safety and congestion, including: (a) The introduction of two way working on Daneville Road would reduce capacity on Denmark Hill; as it reduces the exit onto Denmark Hill from two lanes to one lane adding to delays These delays would primarily affect buses that use this location to terminate Discussions and consideration of these proposals have concluded that there are no other viable locations in the immediate area for this facility for the termination of buses. Delays to buses would also clearly impact on other traffic using the roads in this area and increase congestion even further; (b) In relation to the re-introduction of the right-turn into Coldharbour Lane the biggest impact was in terms of safety. Right turns at traffic signals are considered high-risk manoeuvre, as in this case, it relies on drivers anticipating gaps in opposing traffic streams, this is often compounded at night when speeds can be higher. In addition , both cyclists and motor cyclists are vulnerable in these situations as drivers can and do fail to see road users, In both London, and within Southwark, 25% of all collisions at Traffic Signals involve right turning vehicle_ This is often why such turns are banned or are given their own stage where they are not in conflict with other vehicles. At this location, this is not achievable_ Given these issues Southwark's Proposals have been revised and these are summarised below. Southwark's long-term proposals, following from the approval of the TfL scheme, now include the following:
1. The introduction of two new pelican crossings (by Love Walk and Camberwell Passage); 2 The relocation of Orpheus Street controlled pedestrian crossing northwards towards Butterfly Walk shopping centre;
3. Introduction of junction treatment across Orpheus Street at its junction with Denmark and 4 Resurfacing of the Denmark Hill carriageway together with footway renewals These proposals are in addition to the implementation of the measures outlined at the 9 March meeting and set out above. These proposals are currently at the stage of detailed design and it is intended and envisaged that they will be implemented during 2017-18, subject to statutory consultation, and approvals being obtained;, including necessary approval from TfL.
Souitinvark Cotlricil, PO BOX 64529_ Lorcion SEiP SLX southwark gov.uk (acebcok consouhwarkcouncil twilter crtr/lb_Souihwwvaik the Hill;
TfL's proposals for the main Camberwell Town Centre junction were considered and approved by TFL's Road Space Protection Group on 16 March 2017 and will be consulted on 2017-18 and with a view to implementation in 2018-19. hope that the information provided offers assurances that the findings of your investigations and areas you have highlighted for the prevention of future deaths have been further considered and have resulted in action with the aim of improving road safety in the area and preventing future deaths The safety of cyclists (and other vulnerable road users) is, and will continue to be major consideration at this junction, as it is generally throughout the Borough, and will remain at the forefront of_ our minds when designing, consulting and implementing the future larger planned improvement of Camberwell:
Response received
View full response
Dear Ms Ormond-Walshe, We were very sorry to hear of the death of Ms Hartsilver and wish to pass our condolences to her family. We have carefully considered your Prevention of Future Deaths report dated 2Oth February 2017. We acknowledge the shared responsibility of the London Borough of Southwark (Southwark) and Transport for London (TfL) as traffic and highway authorities to work together to improve safety throughout the Camberwell area TfL is seeking to reduce collisions across London in accordance with initiatives stated in the "Safe Streets for London: The Road Safety Action Plan for 2020" Regarding the junction of Orpheus Street with Denmark Hill; TfL attended a site visit on 9th March 20/7 with the Metropolitan Police and Southwark. Following this meeting, Southwark have implemented short-term changes to the junction in accordance with suggestions made at that meeting which include; New marking symbols on Denmark Hill at the junction with Orpheus Street to raise awareness of the presence of cyclists to other road users; Removal of bus lane markings on the southbound lane before the zig-zag markings to allow left turning vehicles more space to turn from the inside lane and; An arrow permitted variant of Regulation 1050 to show that Left turners into Orpheus Street should use the nearside lane, and ahead traffic in Denmark Hill should use the offside lane between bus stop and the existing pelican crossing zig-zag lines to better inform drivers of which lane to take and seek to influence a reduction in the number of left turns from the outside lane in Denmark Hill that risk a collision with cyclists. MAYOR OF LONDON '01545449 VAT number 756 2769 90 cycle Signs using Diag;
TfL attended a post-implementation meeting with the Police and Southwark on 7th April 2017 to review these measures. It was agreed by all parties that there have been positive changes since the measures were implemented, but risk is not fully eliminated because it is still physically possible to turn left from the outside lane. TfL will therefore continue to provide financial and technical support to Southwark to develop further safety improvements to the A2 | 5 Denmark Hill and Camberwell Road corridor, which includes the Orpheus Street junction. The Orpheus Street junction is close to the junctions of Denmark HillColdharbour Lane and Denmark HillCamberwell Church Street/Camberwell New Road junction adjacent to Camberwell Green and regularly referred to by that name: The latter Camberwell Green junction is part of the Transport for London Road Network (TLRN) for which TfL is the highway traffic authority. It has the highest collision record in the area and is the 4th highest ranked junction in London based on recorded collisions for the 36 months to the end of December 2015. TfL has therefore been progressing with proposals to improve road safety at this junction, and as part of the design and approvals process recently received traffic management endorsement from TfL's Road Space Performance Group on 6th March 20/7 to proceed to public consultation: The proposals for the Camberwell Green (TLRN) junction are aimed at improving safety for both cyclists and pedestrians: For cyclists they include: a two stage right turn facility to enable cyclists to turn right without having to cross lanes of moving traffic; a four second 'early release which enables cyclists to move off ahead of general traffic at junctions; deeper advanced stop lines to provide more space for cyclists ahead of general traffic and greater visibility of cyclists for general traffic; better lane and footway alignment that reduces the risk of cyclists making sudden turns All these measures are intended to improve the visibility of cyclists, and also to separate them from general traffic as far as possible to reduce the risk of collisions taking place: In addition, we plan to resurface the TLRN carriageway: This should improve the level of comfort for cyclists, and reduce the risk of sudden manoeuvres to avoid defects in the road surface, and
For pedestrians, the proposed TLRN scheme includes: widened crossings to better accommodate the volume of demand; pedestrian countdown to inform pedestrians how have left to safely complete their crossing; de-cluttered and widened footways on three sides of the junction to better accommodate the volume of demand, and; relocation of the pedestrian crossing on Denmark Hill to opposite Butterfly Walk to unlock safety improvements at Orpheus Street and be better aligned to pedestrian desire lines crossing Denmark Hill: This in turn will allow traffic making the left turn into Orpheus Street more space to align into the inside lane after the termination of the bus lane, reducing the risk of collision with cyclists The designs have been subject to a Road Safety Audit: We are of the view that the TLRN scheme will deliver a marked improvement in the conditions for cyclists and pedestrians. The designs will be updated following feedback from the public consultation, which is planned for June 2017. A further Road Safety Audit will then be undertaken on the final design in advance of construction: TfL will progress the scheme, and subject to the outcome of public consultation and securing the necessary approvals, construction could be complete by the end of 20/8.
TfL attended a post-implementation meeting with the Police and Southwark on 7th April 2017 to review these measures. It was agreed by all parties that there have been positive changes since the measures were implemented, but risk is not fully eliminated because it is still physically possible to turn left from the outside lane. TfL will therefore continue to provide financial and technical support to Southwark to develop further safety improvements to the A2 | 5 Denmark Hill and Camberwell Road corridor, which includes the Orpheus Street junction. The Orpheus Street junction is close to the junctions of Denmark HillColdharbour Lane and Denmark HillCamberwell Church Street/Camberwell New Road junction adjacent to Camberwell Green and regularly referred to by that name: The latter Camberwell Green junction is part of the Transport for London Road Network (TLRN) for which TfL is the highway traffic authority. It has the highest collision record in the area and is the 4th highest ranked junction in London based on recorded collisions for the 36 months to the end of December 2015. TfL has therefore been progressing with proposals to improve road safety at this junction, and as part of the design and approvals process recently received traffic management endorsement from TfL's Road Space Performance Group on 6th March 20/7 to proceed to public consultation: The proposals for the Camberwell Green (TLRN) junction are aimed at improving safety for both cyclists and pedestrians: For cyclists they include: a two stage right turn facility to enable cyclists to turn right without having to cross lanes of moving traffic; a four second 'early release which enables cyclists to move off ahead of general traffic at junctions; deeper advanced stop lines to provide more space for cyclists ahead of general traffic and greater visibility of cyclists for general traffic; better lane and footway alignment that reduces the risk of cyclists making sudden turns All these measures are intended to improve the visibility of cyclists, and also to separate them from general traffic as far as possible to reduce the risk of collisions taking place: In addition, we plan to resurface the TLRN carriageway: This should improve the level of comfort for cyclists, and reduce the risk of sudden manoeuvres to avoid defects in the road surface, and
For pedestrians, the proposed TLRN scheme includes: widened crossings to better accommodate the volume of demand; pedestrian countdown to inform pedestrians how have left to safely complete their crossing; de-cluttered and widened footways on three sides of the junction to better accommodate the volume of demand, and; relocation of the pedestrian crossing on Denmark Hill to opposite Butterfly Walk to unlock safety improvements at Orpheus Street and be better aligned to pedestrian desire lines crossing Denmark Hill: This in turn will allow traffic making the left turn into Orpheus Street more space to align into the inside lane after the termination of the bus lane, reducing the risk of collision with cyclists The designs have been subject to a Road Safety Audit: We are of the view that the TLRN scheme will deliver a marked improvement in the conditions for cyclists and pedestrians. The designs will be updated following feedback from the public consultation, which is planned for June 2017. A further Road Safety Audit will then be undertaken on the final design in advance of construction: TfL will progress the scheme, and subject to the outcome of public consultation and securing the necessary approvals, construction could be complete by the end of 20/8.
Action Should Be Taken
In my opinion action should be taken to prevent future deaths and believe the London Borough of Southwark and TfL have the power to take such action. Iam making a recommendation that further consideration be made about the junction design: am not suggesting what the remedial action should be, in respect of changes to the junction: Given there has been some consideration already about this issue, and not losing sight of the complexities of the whole matter of the design of the junction, am not even suggesting that there has to be remedial action. would simply like the matter to be re-considered by both the organisations responsible for it; together, and with the assistance of the police would Iike the design of this junction to be looked at again. As it appears to be a relatively lengthy process of the improvement of Camberwell no criticism intended), and this junction part of that improvement; in the interim, am asking Southwark and TfL to: Consider modifications to this junction noW, as an interim measure; and thereon The safety of cyclists (and other vulnerable road users) should continue to be a major consideration at this junction when the final decisions are made about the larger_planned improvement of Camberwell
Report Sections
Investigation and Inquest
On 03/06/2015 commenced an investigation into the death of Esther Hartsilver: investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 16.2.17. The conclusion of inquest was that she died of multiple injuries in a road traffic collision_
Circumstances of the Death
Esther Hartsilver died having been involved in a road traffic collision on her way to work on 28ih May 2015. She was cycling to King's College Hospital where she worked as a physiotherapist; She was cycling along Denmark Hill. When she got to the junction of Denmark Hill with Orpheus Street she was cycling in the left hand (bus) lane will call this Lane 1_ There was one further lane in the same direction. This was Lane 2, Denmark Hill forms part of the A215. An HGV lorry was driven in Lane 2. This was due to turn left at the junction, turning into Orpheus Street Just before the junction there is a pedestrian crossing with no phased traffic lighting: It is pedestrian controlled: Lane 2 traffic was with traffic The bus lane was more free At 07.58 hours, as the began to turn left; it came into collision with Miss Hartsilver's bicycle. It is not known whether Miss Hartsilver was using a route to work that which involved her planning to turn left into Orpheus Street or cycling straight ahead along Denmark Hill: The the being lorry busy lorry day
The HGV lorry's indicator was on before it began its turn: Tragically, Miss Hartsilver' s bicycle was caught by the when the turned into her lane and she was very seriously injured in the collision. She was seen by paramedics and the HEMS team and taken to King's College Hospital Despite quite extraordinary efforts of her colleagues at King's College Hospital, she could not be saved and died there approximately six hours after her arrival. She was pronounced dead at 15.00 hours
The HGV lorry's indicator was on before it began its turn: Tragically, Miss Hartsilver' s bicycle was caught by the when the turned into her lane and she was very seriously injured in the collision. She was seen by paramedics and the HEMS team and taken to King's College Hospital Despite quite extraordinary efforts of her colleagues at King's College Hospital, she could not be saved and died there approximately six hours after her arrival. She was pronounced dead at 15.00 hours
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