Anais Thouvenot
PFD Report
All Responded
Ref: 2015-0110
All 1 response received
· Deadline: 29 Apr 2015
Coroner's Concerns (AI summary)
The road junction at Upper Kings Street and Regent Road has significant safety concerns due to poor visibility, inadequate filter lanes, heavy traffic, and road contour, posing risks to cyclists.
View full coroner's concerns
In the circumstances it IS my statutory duty I0 report t0 you; During the course of the investigation was made aware of specific concerns regarding the safety of the road traffic junction at Upper Kings Street and Regent Road Leicester; These concerns were highlighted t0 me by the Leicester Cycling Campaign Group (LCCG) and a member of the public who hasalso raised these concerns for the attention of Councillors and The LCCG have informed me that they believe the junction t0 be inherently dangerous quoting number of "near misses as experienced by their cycling group. The specific concerns relate to visibility at the junction and absent or inadequate filter lanes, exacerbated by heavy traffic and the contour of the road at this junction. It is also known to be on major cycle route_into the city Town Hall Squure; Leiceeter LEI 'BG Tcl 0IG 4541030 Fmx 0I6 23 and Upper when cycle
Responses
Action Planned
Leicester City Council will investigate potential improvements to the junction, including advanced cycle stop lines, road markings, parking restrictions, and signal timing changes to reduce conflict between cyclists and vehicles, with a view to including improvements in future works programmes. (AI summary)
Leicester City Council will investigate potential improvements to the junction, including advanced cycle stop lines, road markings, parking restrictions, and signal timing changes to reduce conflict between cyclists and vehicles, with a view to including improvements in future works programmes. (AI summary)
View full response
Dear Dr Swann; Re: Anais Chantal Thouvenot: Thank you for your letter dated March 2015 enclosing the Regulation 28 Report resulting from the Inquest of Miss Anais Chantal Thouvenot: Firstly may take the opportunity to express our deepest sympathy to the bereaved family and friends of Miss Thouvenot following her tragic fatal accident. The Council takes its duty to maintain the public highway in a safe serviceable condition very seriously and have taken time to carefully review the concerns you have outlined in your report concerning the safety of the highway junction layout at Regent RoadlKing StreetlUpper King Street. have examined recorded personal injury accidents information relating to accidents that have occurred the past 25 years at the junction. In that time there have been five such accidents, including the tragic event of gth November 2014. The five accidents resulted in six casualties one fatal and five slight: The five slight casualties consisted of; two vehicle drivers, one vehicle passenger, one motorcyclist and one pedestrian. Detailed examination of the circumstances of each accident has demonstrated no common traits to which a pattern could be attributed. At signal controlled junctions in Leicester, there has been an average of 1.1 accidents per annum (using the last 10' years for which data is available): The junction of Regent Road/kKing StreetlUpper King Street has an average of 0.2 accidents per annum Therefore it is considered that this junction is significantly safer than similar junctions in the city. Your report specifically includes the following detailed matters of concern which address below: Visibility at the junction; Absent or inadequate filter lanes; The contour of the road at this junction. LEIC E STER ciTY C ouncil City Hall; 115 Charles Street Leicester LEI IFZ M leicester-gov uk Cicy City 24th and over
The junction design and signalling arrangements have taken account of the Design Manual for Roads and Bridges (Volume 6, Section 2, Part 3 TD 50/04 The Geometric Layout of Signal Controlled Junction Signalised Roundabouts): As such, constraints such as existing road geometry, buildings and availability of land have been considered in accordance with TD50/04 junction inter-visibility has been maximised: The existing road geometry at the junction renders the provision of both cycle and all-vehicle lanes difficult: In addition, loss of the right turn lane into King Street may not be of any benefit to cyclists , but could cause problems with traffic flow through the junction, adding to congestion. It may also result in inappropriate driver behaviour which could have detrimental effect on the safety of cyclists through the junction: The gradient through the junction is estimated to be around in 45. This equates t0 a gradient of
2.2% . The Design Manual for Roads and Bridges (Volume 6, Section 1, Part TD 9/93 Amendment No Highway Link Design)states that the desirable maximum gradient for all- purpose single carriageway roads is 6%. The gradient through the junction of Regent Road/King StreetlUpper King Street falls well within the design requirements of TD 9/93. The record of road safety at the junction of Regent RoadlKing StreetlUpper King Street is considerably better than most of the 204 traffic signal controlled junctions in Leicester. The design of the junction has been reviewed with regards to its inherent safety it performs well against the requirements of the Design Manual for Roads and Bridges. In view of the existing record of safety at the junction, any changes would have to be carefully considered to ensure they would not have an adverse effect on road safety at the site. However, during the review of the junction and in the interest of improving general amenity, reducing road danger for cyclists and other road users in line with current best practice guidance , several potential actions have been identified for investigation: Provision of Advanced Cycle Stop lines in both directions on Regent Road and removal of the right-tum lane markings into Street (ti) Adding road markings to define the cycle crossing route between Upper King Street King Street Extra road markings t0 discourage car drivers from queueing across the junction. Parking and loading restrictions along the whole of Regent Road and the introduction of cycle lanes or maintenance of on-street parking and removal of this part of Regent Road as a strategic through road. The Leicester Cycling Campaign Group has made comments since the accident have been about their concerns relating t0 vehicles turning right out of King Street without giving way or having any regard to cyclists coming out of Upper King Street: Both approaches currently run in the same stage_ Each approach could run in different signal stages, thus removing this potential conflict; with the cycle approach from Upper King Street only appearing if a present: This work to carry out investigation of potential improvements will be carried out over the next few months with a view t0 including any identified improvements in future highways and transport improvement works programmes_ LEICE STER citY CoUNCTL City Hall; 115 Charles Street; Leicester LEI IFZ Mleicestargov uk and and and very and King and cycle
briefing paper on the tragic accident involving Miss Thouvenot_which included the Regulation 28 Report, was considered by the Mayor at a meeting on 22nd April 2015. At the meeting;, the City Mayor agreed this response to the Regulation 28 Report; trust that this letter provides an acceptable response to the points raised in the Regulation 28 report.
The junction design and signalling arrangements have taken account of the Design Manual for Roads and Bridges (Volume 6, Section 2, Part 3 TD 50/04 The Geometric Layout of Signal Controlled Junction Signalised Roundabouts): As such, constraints such as existing road geometry, buildings and availability of land have been considered in accordance with TD50/04 junction inter-visibility has been maximised: The existing road geometry at the junction renders the provision of both cycle and all-vehicle lanes difficult: In addition, loss of the right turn lane into King Street may not be of any benefit to cyclists , but could cause problems with traffic flow through the junction, adding to congestion. It may also result in inappropriate driver behaviour which could have detrimental effect on the safety of cyclists through the junction: The gradient through the junction is estimated to be around in 45. This equates t0 a gradient of
2.2% . The Design Manual for Roads and Bridges (Volume 6, Section 1, Part TD 9/93 Amendment No Highway Link Design)states that the desirable maximum gradient for all- purpose single carriageway roads is 6%. The gradient through the junction of Regent Road/King StreetlUpper King Street falls well within the design requirements of TD 9/93. The record of road safety at the junction of Regent RoadlKing StreetlUpper King Street is considerably better than most of the 204 traffic signal controlled junctions in Leicester. The design of the junction has been reviewed with regards to its inherent safety it performs well against the requirements of the Design Manual for Roads and Bridges. In view of the existing record of safety at the junction, any changes would have to be carefully considered to ensure they would not have an adverse effect on road safety at the site. However, during the review of the junction and in the interest of improving general amenity, reducing road danger for cyclists and other road users in line with current best practice guidance , several potential actions have been identified for investigation: Provision of Advanced Cycle Stop lines in both directions on Regent Road and removal of the right-tum lane markings into Street (ti) Adding road markings to define the cycle crossing route between Upper King Street King Street Extra road markings t0 discourage car drivers from queueing across the junction. Parking and loading restrictions along the whole of Regent Road and the introduction of cycle lanes or maintenance of on-street parking and removal of this part of Regent Road as a strategic through road. The Leicester Cycling Campaign Group has made comments since the accident have been about their concerns relating t0 vehicles turning right out of King Street without giving way or having any regard to cyclists coming out of Upper King Street: Both approaches currently run in the same stage_ Each approach could run in different signal stages, thus removing this potential conflict; with the cycle approach from Upper King Street only appearing if a present: This work to carry out investigation of potential improvements will be carried out over the next few months with a view t0 including any identified improvements in future highways and transport improvement works programmes_ LEICE STER citY CoUNCTL City Hall; 115 Charles Street; Leicester LEI IFZ Mleicestargov uk and and and very and King and cycle
briefing paper on the tragic accident involving Miss Thouvenot_which included the Regulation 28 Report, was considered by the Mayor at a meeting on 22nd April 2015. At the meeting;, the City Mayor agreed this response to the Regulation 28 Report; trust that this letter provides an acceptable response to the points raised in the Regulation 28 report.
Sent To
- Leicester City Council
Response Status
Linked responses
1 of 2
56-Day Deadline
29 Apr 2015
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 17/11/2014 commenced an investigation into the death of Anais Chantal Thouvenot who was 22 years of age, at the time of her death: The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 17 March 2015. The conclusion of the inquest was Road Traffic Collision. Miss Thouvenot suffered traumatic brain injury following road traffic collision whilst riding her bicycle and died on 16th November 2014 at Queens Medical Centre , Nottingham despite supportive measures. The cause of death was given as cerebral Infarction due to traumatic brain injury:
Circumstances of the Death
Miss Thouvenot was involved in a road traffic collision at the junction of Kings Street and Regent Road in Leicester on 9/11/14 she was knocked irom her pedal by a passing vehicle sustaining a serious head injury. She was taken t0 QMC Nottingham; where she died on 16/11/14
Action Should Be Taken
In my opinion action should be taken to prevent future deaths and believe you have the power t0 take such action; would appreciate if you would kindly review the inherent safety of this junction in the course of preventing future deaths. YOUR RESPONSE You are under a duty to respond to this report within 56 days of the date of this report, namely by 29 April 2015. |, the coroner, may extend the period, Your response must contain details of action (aken or proposed to be taken, setting out the timetable for action. Otherwise you must explain why no action is proposed: COPIES and PUBLICATION have sent a copy of my report to the Chief Coroner and to the following Interested Persons namely the family of Miss Thouvenot; have also sent It to the Leicester Cycling Campaign Group who may find it useful or of interest am also under a duty to send the Chief Coroner a copy of your response The Chief Coroner may publish either or both in complete, redacted or summary form He may send copy of this report to any person who he believes may find it useful or of interest You may make representations t0 me, the coroner, at the lime of your response, about the release Or the publication of your response by the Chief Coroner; Dated 18 March 2015 Signature for Leicester (City and South) Tomn Hall Square; Leicesler; LEI 9RC Tel 0186 4541030 Fx 06 225 2587
Similar PFD Reports
Reports sharing organisations, categories, or themes
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.