Aston Soulsby
PFD Report
All Responded
Ref: 2017-0204
All 1 response received
· Deadline: 17 Aug 2017
Sent To
Response Status
Responses
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56-Day Deadline
17 Aug 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
1. Evidence emerged during the inquest that pedestrians frequently wait in the hatch area whilst crossing the road and vehicles also pass parked vehicles in the road in the hatched area. This may lead to confusion and pose a risk for pedestrians and motorists.
Responses
Response received
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Dear Ms Collins
Regulation 28 Report – Aston Soulsby
Following the fatality on Crankhall Lane, Wednesbury in November 2016 a road safety investigation has been carried out by Sandwell MBC, Highways Department. A 12 hour pedestrian count was undertaken on the 7th February 2017 along Crankhall, Lane between the junction of Hall Green Road and property number 17 Crankhall Lane, split into 3 areas, (plan attached). The results showed a total of 377 pedestrians crossed the carriageway in both directions. During the morning school journey hour of 8-9am, 66 pedestrians crossed the carriageway in both directions, 18 of which were children. During the afternoon school journey hour of 3-4pm, 46 pedestrians crossed the carriageway in both directions, 8 of which were children. When we consider the locations of the schools and the direction of crossing movements for school children the counts indicate that all the 18 children crossed the carriageway in a westbound direction during 8- 9am and all 8 children crossed the carriageway in an eastbound direction between 3-4pm. Upon site visits undertaken by highways at this location the pedestrian movement was observed as very low. In addition there was little evidence to suggest that pedestrians frequently waited in the central hatched area of the carriageway whilst they cross Crankhall Lane.
Margaret Collins Black Country Coroners Court Jack Judge Halesowen Street Oldbury West Midlands B69 2AJ
My Ref:
Your Ref:
Please ask for:
Telephone No. 0121 569 4052 E-mail: Date: 16th August 2017
[IL0: UNCLASSIFIED] Regeneration and Planning Sandwell Council House, Freeth Street, Oldbury, West Midlands. B69 3DE
2
Although, due to the lack of controlled crossing points in this vicinity, we do understand that this could be suppressing pedestrian movement. A five year road traffic injury accident analysis shows there has not been any other recorded casualties along Crankhall Lane, from the junction of Hall Green Road to the junction with Eldalade Way during this period. Nonetheless, it is accepted that it is not an ideal location for pedestrians to cross and as such to assist pedestrian movement, Sandwell MBC are considering the possibility of installing a formalised crossing point along this section of Crankhall Lane. It should be noted, however that this will be dependent upon a suitable location being identified with consideration given to desire lines, existing footway crossings, business accesses, parking bays, servicing to shops and usability. In addition it has been noted the existing carriageway markings at this location are now considered to be an outdated layout and consequently these will be altered and road space re-appropriated as necessary. It is hoped all the work will be completed by 31st March 2018.
Regulation 28 Report – Aston Soulsby
Following the fatality on Crankhall Lane, Wednesbury in November 2016 a road safety investigation has been carried out by Sandwell MBC, Highways Department. A 12 hour pedestrian count was undertaken on the 7th February 2017 along Crankhall, Lane between the junction of Hall Green Road and property number 17 Crankhall Lane, split into 3 areas, (plan attached). The results showed a total of 377 pedestrians crossed the carriageway in both directions. During the morning school journey hour of 8-9am, 66 pedestrians crossed the carriageway in both directions, 18 of which were children. During the afternoon school journey hour of 3-4pm, 46 pedestrians crossed the carriageway in both directions, 8 of which were children. When we consider the locations of the schools and the direction of crossing movements for school children the counts indicate that all the 18 children crossed the carriageway in a westbound direction during 8- 9am and all 8 children crossed the carriageway in an eastbound direction between 3-4pm. Upon site visits undertaken by highways at this location the pedestrian movement was observed as very low. In addition there was little evidence to suggest that pedestrians frequently waited in the central hatched area of the carriageway whilst they cross Crankhall Lane.
Margaret Collins Black Country Coroners Court Jack Judge Halesowen Street Oldbury West Midlands B69 2AJ
My Ref:
Your Ref:
Please ask for:
Telephone No. 0121 569 4052 E-mail: Date: 16th August 2017
[IL0: UNCLASSIFIED] Regeneration and Planning Sandwell Council House, Freeth Street, Oldbury, West Midlands. B69 3DE
2
Although, due to the lack of controlled crossing points in this vicinity, we do understand that this could be suppressing pedestrian movement. A five year road traffic injury accident analysis shows there has not been any other recorded casualties along Crankhall Lane, from the junction of Hall Green Road to the junction with Eldalade Way during this period. Nonetheless, it is accepted that it is not an ideal location for pedestrians to cross and as such to assist pedestrian movement, Sandwell MBC are considering the possibility of installing a formalised crossing point along this section of Crankhall Lane. It should be noted, however that this will be dependent upon a suitable location being identified with consideration given to desire lines, existing footway crossings, business accesses, parking bays, servicing to shops and usability. In addition it has been noted the existing carriageway markings at this location are now considered to be an outdated layout and consequently these will be altered and road space re-appropriated as necessary. It is hoped all the work will be completed by 31st March 2018.
Action Should Be Taken
1. You may wish to consider reviewing the traffic calming measures in place at the collision site on Crankhall Lane and whether anything can be done to minimise risks to pedestrians with appropriate signs/warnings or consideration of pedestrian crossings.
Report Sections
Investigation and Inquest
On the 16 November 2016, I commenced an investigation into the death of the child, Aston Soulsby. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 26 May 2017. The conclusion of the inquest was a conclusion of: Road Traffic Collision.
The cause of death was:
1a Hypoxic Brain Injury b Cardiac Arrest as a consequence of Road Traffic Collision
The cause of death was:
1a Hypoxic Brain Injury b Cardiac Arrest as a consequence of Road Traffic Collision
Circumstances of the Death
i) At around 15:50 hours on the 1 November 2016 on Crankhall Lane, Wednesbury, schoolboy Aston Soulsby was involved in a collision with a bus. ii) The road in question is subject to a 30mph speed limit and at the time of the collision there were parked vehicles in the Walsall bound carriageway commencing from the island, and on West Bromwich bound carriageway they commence just after the collision point. iii) Between the two carriageways there is a central hatch marking area. iv) The bus was being driven along Crankhall Lane towards the general direction of West Bromwich and a second vehicle (Vauxhall Corsa) was being driven along the same road towards Walsall. v) Aston was in company with a group of school friends and were making their way home. One of his friends crossed the road but Aston who ran across the road narrowly missed the Vauxhall Corsa car but sadly was struck by the bus. vi) He sustained serious traumatic injuries and despite medical treatment he died on the 7 November 2016 in hospital. vii) The bus was travelling at a speed of 25mph on the approach to the collision
[IL1: PROTECT] scene and the bus driver appears to have had insufficient time to react to Aston in the road and avoid the collision. viii) The average speed of the Corsa vehicle was estimated to be around 34mph and was in the hatch markings. This vehicle was fitted with a particularly loud exhaust system and may have distracted Aston giving the perception the vehicle may have been travelling faster.
[IL1: PROTECT] scene and the bus driver appears to have had insufficient time to react to Aston in the road and avoid the collision. viii) The average speed of the Corsa vehicle was estimated to be around 34mph and was in the hatch markings. This vehicle was fitted with a particularly loud exhaust system and may have distracted Aston giving the perception the vehicle may have been travelling faster.
Copies Sent To
Senior Coroner Black Country Area
[IL1: PROTECT] 2
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Data sourced from Courts and Tribunals Judiciary under the Open Government Licence.