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
Clear
PFD Reports
43 results
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.
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.
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.
Neil Garry
All Responded
2015-0446-wp25121 26 Oct 2015 West Yorkshire (East)
Road (Highways Safety) related deaths
Concerns summary (AI summary) A busy road frequently used by pedestrians, including children, lacks a pedestrian crossing, posing a significant safety risk.
Action Planned (AI summary) • A scheme has been designed to provide safe pedestrian assisted facilities across the Ring Road at the Ramshead Approach and Coal Road junction. • A Highways Board report is to be presented to the Chief Officer (Highways and Transportation) early in the New Year to seek formal funding approval to progress the junction improvement measures at the Ramshead Approach/ Ring Road junction. • It is currently programmed that the scheme will then be issued to contractors in this financial year, with an expected completion date onsite between May/June 2016.
Kenneth McCurdy and Mary McCurdy
All Responded
2015-0369 1 Oct 2015 County Durham and Darlington
Road (Highways Safety) related deaths
Concerns summary (AI summary) The absence of clear signage at a central reservation gap fails to indicate prohibited right turns or U-turns for east-bound vehicles, creating a significant highway safety risk.
Action Planned (AI summary) Highways England will work with Durham Constabulary to investigate enhancements to signing and road markings on the A66 by March 2016. They will also place a bid for funding to undertake the work recommended by the investigations.
Keri Holdsworth
All Responded
2015-0060 18 Feb 2015 Hartlepool
Road (Highways Safety) related deaths
Concerns summary (AI summary) This junction is a recurring danger zone with a history of several serious and fatal incidents, specifically for vehicles making right turns to or from the northbound A19.
Noted (AI summary) The Highways Agency has extended a route safety study to consider whether a bridge at Elwick could facilitate closure of central reserve gaps, including the Dalton Piercy junction. The study is due to report in August 2015. Hartlepool Borough Council clarifies that the relevant stretch of road falls under the jurisdiction of Highways England, but they are in dialogue with Highways England and will assist as required.
Kevin Lawrenson
All Responded
2014-0577 18 Dec 2014 Oxfordshire
Road (Highways Safety) related deaths
Concerns summary (AI summary) Numerous accidents occurred due to inadequate and poorly visible signage for slow-moving vehicles. Improvements such as larger signs, lane separation, or electronic warnings are needed at this location.
Action Planned (AI summary) National Highways has instructed UK Highways M4O Limited to improve signing on the southbound approach to the Stokenchurch Cutting, including an additional 'Slow Moving Lorries' sign, raised sign height, and high visibility backing boards, with completion expected this summer.
Yasmin Richards
All Responded
2014-0193 28 Apr 2014 Avon
Road (Highways Safety) related deaths
Concerns summary (AI summary) The A46 "Hartley Bends" has an inappropriate speed limit and inadequate road signage, markings, and warning features, contributing to a high risk of fatal collisions.
Action Taken (AI summary) The Highways Agency has implemented local measures to highlight the nature of the road, including additional chevron signage, hazard warning signs, and high friction surfacing in strips. They are planning a peer review of the implemented scheme by the end of July 2014 and will gather data to ascertain its effectiveness.
Samuel Shaw
All Responded
2014-0076 26 Feb 2014 North Northumberland
Road (Highways Safety) related deaths
Concerns summary (AI summary) Pedestrians crossing a 60mph unlit trunk road from a holiday park face extreme danger due to poor visibility, lack of warning signs for drivers, and no central refuge.
Action Planned (AI summary) The Highways Agency has arranged for an investigation to consider options for an improved pedestrian crossing facility in the vicinity of Haggerston. The investigation will assess demand, appraise existing routes, and identify suitable locations.