Jean Hardy
PFD Report
All Responded
Ref: 2023-0176
All 1 response received
· Deadline: 21 Jul 2023
Sent To
Response Status
Responses
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56-Day Deadline
21 Jul 2023
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) The B1286 Doxford Parkway is bordered by Multiple housing estates and the evidence confirmed that local practice of crossing at non designated crossing points which are more easily accessible and convenient is common and well known.
(2) Access to the carriageway is not restricted by fencing (save for limited fencing at designated crossing points) and there is no signage prohibiting crossing at non designated crossing points or warning of the risks to the public of doing so.
(3) There is a risk of further deaths occurring in this location and in similar circumstances. To prevent future deaths there should be a comprehensive review of current pedestrian crossing provision on B1286 Doxford Parkway.
(2) Access to the carriageway is not restricted by fencing (save for limited fencing at designated crossing points) and there is no signage prohibiting crossing at non designated crossing points or warning of the risks to the public of doing so.
(3) There is a risk of further deaths occurring in this location and in similar circumstances. To prevent future deaths there should be a comprehensive review of current pedestrian crossing provision on B1286 Doxford Parkway.
Responses
The Council, in consultation with Northumbria Police, has rejected the installation of fencing, citing concerns it would encourage barrier hopping, and the police did not believe additional road safety measures would have prevented the accident. The Council is proposing to install signs on both sides of Doxford Parkway to direct pedestrians to nearby crossing points.
AI summary
View full response
Dear Madam,
Thank you for your letter and report dated 25th May 2023 with the case reference number
308348. This matter is in relation to the death of Jean Hardy who unfortunately passed away following a road traffic collision which occurred on Doxford Park Way in Sunderland.
Following the conclusion of the inquest in April 2023, the Council received your Regulation 28 report detailing the following concerns:
(1) The B1286 Doxford Parkway is bordered by Multiple housing estates and the evidence confirmed that local practice of crossing at non designated crossing points which are more easily accessible and convenient is common and well known.
(2) Access to the carriageway is not restricted by fencing (save for limited fencing at designated crossing points) and there is no signage prohibiting crossing at non designated crossing points or warning of the risks to the public of doing so.
(3) There is a risk of further deaths occurring in this location and in similar circumstances. To prevent future deaths there should be a comprehensive review of current pedestrian crossing provision on B1286 Doxford Parkway.
Northumbria Police generally contact the Council’s Local Highway Authority road safety representatives to request a site meeting following a road traffic collision resulting in a fatality. This only happens if the Police investigating officer is of the view that the highway layout or highway condition at the time was a potential contributory factor. There were no requests received from the Police to undertake a site meeting. However, following your request, the Council arranged and met on site with the investigating officers from Northumbria Police to help understand the circumstances and any contributory factors in relation to this fatality. This took place at the collision location on 15th August 2023.
It is unknown why Mrs Hardy chose to cross at the location where the collision occurred; however, it should be noted that there is an existing footway following the northern side of Doxford Park Way and appropriately located pedestrian crossing points nearby to this location. These are found at the roundabout junction with Moorside Road / Noirmont Way approximately 120 metres to the west, and a controlled crossing approximately 180 metres to the east near Morrison’s and the local shopping centre.
City Development Directorate City Hall Plater Way Sunderland SR1 3AA
The investigating officers from Northumbria Police were of the view that the tragic accident would not have been prevented by additional road safety measures due to the circumstances involved. A suggestion made by the Police is to install warning or advisory signs.
In response to your concerns and request for action, the Council has undertaken a road safety review of the location concerned; and has also investigated the suitability of the existing pedestrian crossing point locations on Doxford Park Way. The issues you have raised around provision of fencing within a central grassed reservation and signing has been considered. This was discussed on site, and the view of the Police is that this would encourage barrier hopping by more agile pedestrians and would not be supported by them.
As an action, the Council are proposing to install signing on both sides of Doxford Parkway to direct pedestrians to nearby crossing points.
I trust this satisfactorily addresses the concerns and actions identified within your report.
Thank you for your letter and report dated 25th May 2023 with the case reference number
308348. This matter is in relation to the death of Jean Hardy who unfortunately passed away following a road traffic collision which occurred on Doxford Park Way in Sunderland.
Following the conclusion of the inquest in April 2023, the Council received your Regulation 28 report detailing the following concerns:
(1) The B1286 Doxford Parkway is bordered by Multiple housing estates and the evidence confirmed that local practice of crossing at non designated crossing points which are more easily accessible and convenient is common and well known.
(2) Access to the carriageway is not restricted by fencing (save for limited fencing at designated crossing points) and there is no signage prohibiting crossing at non designated crossing points or warning of the risks to the public of doing so.
(3) There is a risk of further deaths occurring in this location and in similar circumstances. To prevent future deaths there should be a comprehensive review of current pedestrian crossing provision on B1286 Doxford Parkway.
Northumbria Police generally contact the Council’s Local Highway Authority road safety representatives to request a site meeting following a road traffic collision resulting in a fatality. This only happens if the Police investigating officer is of the view that the highway layout or highway condition at the time was a potential contributory factor. There were no requests received from the Police to undertake a site meeting. However, following your request, the Council arranged and met on site with the investigating officers from Northumbria Police to help understand the circumstances and any contributory factors in relation to this fatality. This took place at the collision location on 15th August 2023.
It is unknown why Mrs Hardy chose to cross at the location where the collision occurred; however, it should be noted that there is an existing footway following the northern side of Doxford Park Way and appropriately located pedestrian crossing points nearby to this location. These are found at the roundabout junction with Moorside Road / Noirmont Way approximately 120 metres to the west, and a controlled crossing approximately 180 metres to the east near Morrison’s and the local shopping centre.
City Development Directorate City Hall Plater Way Sunderland SR1 3AA
The investigating officers from Northumbria Police were of the view that the tragic accident would not have been prevented by additional road safety measures due to the circumstances involved. A suggestion made by the Police is to install warning or advisory signs.
In response to your concerns and request for action, the Council has undertaken a road safety review of the location concerned; and has also investigated the suitability of the existing pedestrian crossing point locations on Doxford Park Way. The issues you have raised around provision of fencing within a central grassed reservation and signing has been considered. This was discussed on site, and the view of the Police is that this would encourage barrier hopping by more agile pedestrians and would not be supported by them.
As an action, the Council are proposing to install signing on both sides of Doxford Parkway to direct pedestrians to nearby crossing points.
I trust this satisfactorily addresses the concerns and actions identified within your report.
Report Sections
Investigation and Inquest
On 14 February 2020 I commenced an investigation into the death of Jean HARDY. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 24th April 2023. The conclusion of the inquest was
Road Traffic Collision
1a Multi-Organ Failure 1b Head, Chest and Pelvic Injuries 1c
Road Traffic Collision
1a Multi-Organ Failure 1b Head, Chest and Pelvic Injuries 1c
Circumstances of the Death
On 4th February 2020 Jean Hardy (JH), a 71-year-old lady (generally fit and well), crossed the B1286 Doxford Parkway Sunderland from the Southside to the Westbound carriageway. She did so, at a point where there was no designated pedestrian crossing, when it was dark and when the carriageway was illuminated by street lighting.
JH was struck by a motor vehicle and sustained multiple Injuries that led to her death within
RVI Newcastle Upon Tyne on 8th February 2020.
JH was struck by a motor vehicle and sustained multiple Injuries that led to her death within
RVI Newcastle Upon Tyne on 8th February 2020.
Copies Sent To
(Independent Collision Investigator)
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Data sourced from Courts and Tribunals Judiciary under the Open Government Licence.