UK Inquiry Tracker

Jamie Staley

PFD Report All Responded Ref: 2019-0463

Date of Report 12 November 2019

Coroner Caroline Saunders

Coroner Area Gwent

Response Deadline est. 12 March 2020

Road (Highways Safety) related deaths

Judiciary.uk Report PDF

All 2 responses received · Deadline: 12 Mar 2020

Coroner's Concerns (AI summary)

Lack of signage and relatively easy access points allow pedestrians to inadvertently stray onto the A40 near Gibraltar tunnels, posing a risk of future collisions.

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In the circumstances it is my statutory to report to you_ The inquest determined that Jamie died after he accessed the A40 from Monmouth Town; near the Gibraltar tunnels: In considering Jamie' s movements on the night he died, the inquest determined that Jamie's mistake had been caused by a combination of not knowing the area and under the influence of alcohol, however access generallyto the A40 in the area of was considered. Police Constable 217 gave evidence to the inquest and presented the of the Collision Ivestigation Report: _He indicated that there is relatively easy access onto the A40 in drinking duty being findings this area and was surprised that there were no signs which could alert pedestrians to the A40,or to prevent them from entering onto the slip road. Although lack of signage did not contribute to Jamie's death consider that this is a matter for consideration in preventing pedestrians from straying inadvertently onto this road in future_ The junction in question is the exit from the A40 travelling northbound immediately having travelled through the Gibraltar tunnels onto the B4233. The co-ordinates are 51.805620,-2.716463.

Responses

Monmouthshire County Council Local Authority / Fire Service

10 Jan 2020

Noted
Monmouthshire County Council expresses condolences and explains the existing footpath infrastructure. They state that signage did not contribute to the accident, but will continue to work with SWTRA to identify any additional safety measures. (AI summary)

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Dear Caroline Saunders Senior Coroner for Gwent; Re: Jamie Staley, Regulation 28 Report to Prevent Future Deaths. My apologies for the delayed response regarding the Regulation 28 Report and the matters of concern raised within. Monmouthshire County Council pass on their sincerest condolences to the family and are grateful for the opportunity to respond to this report and the evidence The A40 is the responsibility of Welsh Government and South Wales Trunk Road Agency (SWTRA) have copied SWTRA colleagues into this response should they wish to add any further comments At present; the left hand side of the B4233 has a dedicated footpath running alongside the River Monnow from the Town Centre leading to a subway under the A40 to Beach Road. (Beach Rd can also by footpath over the Gibraltar Tunnels alongside the B4293). The footpath continues and runs alongside the A40 slip road allowing pedestrians to cross the River Monnow heading northbound and gain access to Chippenham Fields This kerbed footpath is well sign posted and physical barriers separate the slip road from the main A40. The right hand side of the B4233 leading to the slip road coming off the A40 where the accident occurred is unpaved with no pedestrian access There is a narrow grass verge backed with hedging along the slip road which provides a sight line for motorists as egress the A40. There is a petrol station OneWay access just past the slip road and there is a NO EXIT sign to the road and verge: The verge leading from the petrol station to the slip road is also obstructed with a Welcome to Monmouthshire sign the oncoming traffic, the sign runs the width of the verge blocking pedestrian access: There are two illuminated NO ENTRY signs on either side the slip road leading from the Gibraltar Tunnels and oncoming traffic: Physical barriers and further signage along the B4233 and non- pedestrianised verge could obstruct sight line vision and potentially lead to more accidents: Whilst the report identifies that signage did not contribute to the accident we will continue to work with SWTRA to identify any additional measures that may improve safety on this junction: Regards Head of Neighbourhood Services Monmouthshire County Council they facing

Monmouthshire County Council update Local Authority / Fire Service

10 Mar 2020

Action Taken
Monmouthshire County Council confirms that the South Wales Trunk Road Agent (SWTRA) has installed Pedestrian Prohibition signs on existing signing infrastructure. (AI summary)

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Dear Ms Saunders Re: Jamie Staley DOB:
24.06.1998 Address: Skellow, Doncaster, South Yorkshire Further to our letter of 10 February, I can confirm that our South Wales Trunk Road Agent (SWTRA) has now completed the installation of Pedestrian Prohibition signs on the existing signing infrastructure.

Sent To

Monmouth County Council

Response Status

Linked responses 2 of 1

56-Day Deadline 12 Mar 2020

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

Report Sections

Investigation and Inquest

On 25 September 2018 commenced an investigation into the death of Jamie Staley DOB: 24 June 1998. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 8 October 2019. The conclusion of the inquest was recorded as "Accident"_ The medical cause of death was 'Multiple injuries"

Circumstances of the Death

On 22nd September 2018,Jamie Staley died when he accidentally wandered onto the A40 near Monmouth after a night out with friends. He was struck by van and died immediately of his injuries_

Action Should Be Taken

In my opinion action should be taken to prevent future deaths and believe you have the power to take such action: If; however you consider this to be the responsibility of another agency_please let me know as soon as possible