National Highways

PFD Addressee
Reports: 65 Earliest: Dec 2013 Latest: 12 Feb 2026

80% 2-year response rate (below 83% average). 24% of classified responses show concrete action taken.

Response Status (last 2 years, 15 reports)
Responded 12
AI Classification
Action Taken 24%
Action Planned 53%
Noted 22%
Disputed 1%
Based on 78 classified responses
PFD Reports Received by Quarter
PFD Reports
65 results
Stephen Cloudsdale
Partially Responded
2022-0035 3 Feb 2022 Cumbria
Other related deaths Road (Highways Safety) related deaths
Concerns summary (AI summary) Highway safety concerns on the A66 include inadequate lighting and warning signage for crossing vehicles, high traffic speeds, and an insufficient central reservation width.
Action Planned (AI summary) National Highways is upgrading traffic signs and road markings, including interactive electronic vehicle-activated signs, in the area of Stainmore Cafe Services. They do not plan to install lighting or widen the central reservation.
Thomas Pickering
All Responded
2021-0289 20 Aug 2021 Suffolk
Road (Highways Safety) related deaths
Concerns summary (AI summary) The apparent lack of adequate signage, such as warnings for hidden dips or recent incidents, increases the risk of future road traffic collisions at the site.
Noted (AI summary) Suffolk County Council Highways has assessed the report and agreed to install a pair of hidden dip signs north of the Wallers Farm access, facing southbound traffic and will now proceed to design suitable locations, leading to the erection of new posts and signs in due course. National Highways states that they are not responsible for the A137 and cannot comment, advising the coroner to contact Suffolk County Council instead.
Lee Marsden
All Responded
2021-0084 26 Mar 2021 Manchester North
Police related deaths Road (Highways Safety) related deaths
Concerns summary (AI summary) A significant delay in activating motorway warning signals and communication failure between agencies, combined with the lack of an internal review, indicate a missed opportunity for learning.
Action Planned (AI summary) Highways England will brief North West Highways England Regional Operations Centre staff and police officers on using 'free text' entries in incident logs, shared with all Regional Control Centres as best practice nationally. They maintain their existing policy for activating warning signals is robust and appropriate, and will not take further action on it. Highways England and the NWMPG have agreed to add a free text description to the log to clearly identify the source of information. Police operators and supervisors within NWMPG will be briefed to add this plain language to logs, with a briefing note circulated to staff.
Zahid Ahmed
All Responded
2021-0062 3 Mar 2021 Bedfordshire and Luton
Road (Highways Safety) related deaths
Concerns summary (AI summary) The M1 'Managed Motorway' section lacks a hard shoulder, creating a significant risk of future deaths when vehicles experience mechanical defects and cannot pull into a safe place.
Action Taken (AI summary) Highways England notes the concerns and lists measures taken since the publication of a stocktake, including upgrading CCTV coverage, increasing the number of emergency areas, improving the signage, increasing education campaigns and the messaging that is shown to drivers.
Alexandru Murgeanu and Jason Mercer
Partially Responded
2021-0013 19 Jan 2021 South Yorkshire West
Other related deaths Road (Highways Safety) related deaths
Concerns summary (AI summary) Smart motorways present foreseeable risks due to the absence of a hard shoulder and the inability to quickly identify stationary vehicles, necessitating better driver awareness and a wider public inquiry beyond inquest limitations.
Action Taken (AI summary) National Highways details numerous actions taken following a stocktake, including installing stopped vehicle detection systems, increasing traffic officers, changing the law to enable automatic detection of Red X violations, and converting dynamic hard shoulder motorways to all lane running. They have launched a road safety campaign and are updating the Highway Code. The Department for Transport commissioned a review of Smart Motorways, is abolishing dynamic hard shoulder motorways, and has launched a £5m campaign to remind road users to ‘Go Left’ in breakdowns. They are upgrading cameras to detect Red X violations and updating the Highway Code with improved safety information.
Daniel Hughes
All Responded
2020-0295 22 Dec 2020 Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin
Road (Highways Safety) related deaths
Concerns summary (AI summary) Road safety concerns at a blind bend include poor visibility for right turns from a driveway, inappropriate speed limits, and the absence of warning signs.
Noted (AI summary) Highways England reviewed the location and determined that visibility is the responsibility of the property owner, the speed limit is appropriate, and they are not permitted to place a concealed driveway warning sign. No action is proposed.
Daniel Bancroft
All Responded
2020-0244 16 Nov 2020 Cumbria
Road (Highways Safety) related deaths
Concerns summary (AI summary) Dangerous road conditions on the A66 include a lack of pedestrian warnings, rapid acceleration onto an unlit section, poor lighting, and national speed limit signs placed too close to a roundabout.
Noted (AI summary) Cumbria County Council stated that the Road Traffic Collision occurred on the Highways England Authority's road network. They regularly meet with Highways England to discuss road safety but Highways England will address the issues raised. Highways England will install 'no pedestrian' signs and bollards on the A66 Stainburn Bypass within 3-6 months and also install pedestrian direction signing during the same timeframe. They concluded no other actions are required regarding speed limit proximity to the roundabout and lighting.
Muhammed Wajid
Partially Responded
2020-0007 10 Jan 2020 West Yorkshire (West)
Suicide
Concerns summary (AI summary) Scammonden Bridge is a notorious suicide location, and previous recommendations to Kirklees Council and Highways England for suicide prevention measures may not have been fully implemented.
Action Planned (AI summary) Highways England is planning to deliver a bridgeworks scheme including a new pedestrian barrier and vehicle barrier at Scammonden Bridge, pending funding. It will also deliver an alert/help telephone system and share learning with East Sussex County Council regarding vulnerable passengers accessing similar sites.
Jamil Ahmed
All Responded
15 Nov 2019 Birmingham and Solihull
Road (Highways Safety) related deaths
Concerns summary (AI summary) The use of hard shoulders as running lanes on smart motorways creates a severe risk of collisions with stationary vehicles, especially given high speeds and limited escape options on elevated stretches.
1 response from National Highways
Costel Stancu
All Responded
2019-0379 12 Nov 2019 Cheshire
Road (Highways Safety) related deaths
Concerns summary (AI summary) The lack of lighting on a section of the motorway is an ongoing risk, having contributed to collisions, and its safety implications were not reassessed during the 'smart motorway' conversion.
Action Planned (AI summary) National Highways will conduct a lighting assessment on the M6 between junctions 16 and 19, and complete the final Road Safety Audit (Stage 4) by Summer 2020.
Dev Naran
All Responded
2019-0341 14 Oct 2019 Birmingham and Solihull
Road (Highways Safety) related deaths
Concerns summary (AI summary) Motorway management lacks automatic detection for stationary vehicles in live lanes, compounded by long gaps in emergency refuge areas and confusing signage on dynamic hard shoulders, increasing the risk of fatal collisions.
Action Planned (AI summary) National Highways is introducing stopped vehicle detection capability, exploring other technologies to reduce risk, and running information campaigns on emergency procedures and safe driving practices from January 2020 to March 2021.
Barbara Henderson
All Responded
2019-0180 30 May 2019 Milton Keynes
Road (Highways Safety) related deaths
Concerns summary (AI summary) Road inspections conducted at speed failed to identify a critical drain problem, indicating an inadequate inspection process that needs urgent review.
Action Planned (AI summary) Highways England will issue a memorandum to all Areas highlighting the importance of inspection and defect rectification for recessed gullies. Area 8 will move to the new Asset Delivery approach on 1st October 2019.
Doreen Fell
All Responded
2019-0109 22 Feb 2019 Cumbria
Road (Highways Safety) related deaths
Concerns summary (AI summary) The national speed limit and lack of street lighting on a trunk road through a village created hazardous pedestrian crossing conditions, especially for vulnerable individuals, requiring an urgent traffic safety review.
Action Planned (AI summary) National Highways is investigating ownership of missing footpath signs and will arrange for reinstatement of the missing sign at the southbound bus layby. They do not feel additional signage to the underpass would be justified.
Aditya Puri
Partially Responded
2018-0268 9 Aug 2018 Derby & Derbyshire
Road (Highways Safety) related deaths
Concerns summary (AI summary) Specific matters of concern regarding the prevention of future deaths were not detailed in the provided text.
Action Planned (AI summary) Highways England collected traffic and road surface data, reviewed fatal collision reports, and will conduct a feasibility study in April 2019 to assess options for safety improvements on the A50 between junctions 3 and 4, subject to funding.
Darryl Souza
All Responded
2018-0098 9 Apr 2018 Northamptonshire
Road (Highways Safety) related deaths
Concerns summary (AI summary) Compromised visibility at a crossroads junction, despite existing signage, necessitates urgent improvements like renewed signs, rumble strips, and "Stop" signs, but these lack an implementation timeframe.
Action Planned (AI summary) Northamptonshire County Council will introduce 'rumble strips' in advance of the Clipston junction and convert the junction to a 'Stop' requirement, aiming to complete the work by the end of June 2018.
Ayse Yalcinkaya
All Responded
2017-0422 27 Nov 2017 Milton Keynes
Road (Highways Safety) related deaths
Concerns summary (AI summary) Unclear signage at a motorway junction caused driver confusion about lane usage, and the absence of a run-off lane contributed to queuing traffic.
Action Planned (AI summary) Highways England commissioned an investigation report addressing the Coroner’s concerns, the findings of which are being reviewed by the Highways England Asset Development Team to determine what action may be appropriate for further work in 2018/19. A Smart Motorway Project is also proposed.
Shahbaz Salim
All Responded
2017-0237 22 Sep 2017 Nottinghamshire
Road (Highways Safety) related deaths
Concerns summary (AI summary) The collision scene is hazardous due to its tendency to accumulate standing water during rainfall and a gap in the vehicle restraint barrier, which allows unimpeded traffic access.
Action Planned (AI summary) Highways England plans to implement a drainage scheme starting in February 2018, including silt removal, pipe repairs, and additional drainage installation. They will also make alterations to the vehicle restraint barrier, pending agreement with a third party, aiming for completion by June 2018.
Frederick Dudley
Historic (No Identified Response)
2017-0272 16 Aug 2017 Staffordshire (South)
Road (Highways Safety) related deaths
Concerns summary (AI summary) A dangerous, uncontrolled pedestrian crossing on a busy dual carriageway is obscured by a wall, located on a bend, and near a speed limit change, creating significant visibility and safety risks for pedestrians.
Jack Braniff
Partially Responded
2017-0183 5 Jun 2017 Manchester (North)
Road (Highways Safety) related deaths
Concerns summary (AI summary) The coroner raises concerns that the size and position of an illuminated advertising board obstructs views for pedestrians and drivers, and that overhanging tree canopies compounded visibility issues at the collision site.
Action Planned (AI summary) The council will ensure the tree pruning program continues as efficiently as possible and is committed to reviewing the process and will implement practical improvements where appropriate.
Margaret Jones
Historic (No Identified Response)
2017-0053 22 Feb 2017 Avon
Road (Highways Safety) related deaths
Concerns summary (AI summary) Multiple collisions at a junction highlight the need for a reduced speed limit on the A36, improved road signage, and better carriageway markings to enhance driver safety.
Kevin Hefferman
All Responded
2016-0381 25 Oct 2016 Hertfordshire
Road (Highways Safety) related deaths
Concerns summary (AI summary) Persistent standing water and water flow across a specific carriageway section contributed to numerous past collisions, posing an ongoing danger to road users, especially during heavy rain.
Action Planned (AI summary) National Highways has undertaken an initial investigation of the carriageway section and will conduct a further review of the design considerations made during the major improvement scheme. The review is due to be completed in the spring of 2017.
Vichal Tonpradit
All Responded
2016-0380 11 Oct 2016 Hertfordshire
Road (Highways Safety) related deaths
Concerns summary (AI summary) A raised section of tarmac separating a motorway slip road from the main carriageway caused a motorcyclist to fall, leading to fatal injuries.
Action Taken (AI summary) National Highways obscured a redundant road marking with bituminous material. A Smart Motorway scheme is planned for 2020 that will alter the road layout.
Harold Davies
All Responded
2016-0185 13 May 2016 Nottinghamshire
Road (Highways Safety) related deaths
Concerns summary (AI summary) A junction has a history of multiple fatalities, but proposed remedial safety works lack funding and commencement dates. There are also concerns about the national speed limit on the approach and insufficient warning signs.
Noted (AI summary) Highways England has discussed the coroner's report with relevant parties and is seeking funding for an accident remedial scheme designed by AOne+ involving interactive signs, clearer markings, and improved signage. They cleared vegetation around the junction to improve visibility and aim to deliver the scheme within the next year if funds are approved. A-one+ acknowledges the coroner's concerns and states that they have made safety recommendations to Highways England regarding the junction. However, they state that it is Highways England's responsibility to secure funding for improvements. A-one+'s contract for the area expired on July 1, 2016 and it no longer has responsibility for the site. Nottinghamshire County Council acknowledges the coroner's concerns regarding accidents at the A46/Station Road junction but states that the Trunk Road is the responsibility of Highways England, and they defer to Highways England's proposed measures. They do not consider a speed limit reduction on Station Road to be effective or appropriate.
Keith Harper
All Responded
2016-0151 21 Apr 2016 Essex
Road (Highways Safety) related deaths
Concerns summary (AI summary) Drivers lacked adequate warning of a pedestrian crossing near a roundabout due to limited visibility and misleading road features. Additionally, carriageway markings were obscured by resurfacing and debris.
Action Taken (AI summary) Essex County Council has completed work to refresh the carriageway markings exiting the roundabout, including the segregation line and give-way triangles.
John Moreton
Historic (No Identified Response)
2015-0430 9 Nov 2015 Stoke-on-Trent and North Staffordshire
Road (Highways Safety) related deaths
Concerns summary (AI summary) A pedestrian stile leads directly onto a busy dual carriageway with a national speed limit, and there are no warning signs for pedestrians or motorists regarding this dangerous crossing point.