Department for Transport

Noted (AI summary) The RNLI is revising plans to increase lifeguard cover on beaches, working with landowners and councils to confirm beaches and timings, with public announcements to follow. The MCA is increasing HM Coastguard vehicle patrols to known safety hotspots for surveillance and swift response. The MCA states they have no statutory responsibilities for beach safety, but continue to work with partners on safety campaigns, including a joint campaign with the RNLI; they are ready to support the inquests.

Noted (AI summary) The Department for Transport expresses sympathy and acknowledges the coroner's report. The response states the department is opposed to extending exemptions to road traffic laws and describes that existing laws and procedures did not appear to be followed in the incident.

Noted (AI summary) HSE acknowledges the concerns and highlights existing guidance and enforcement approaches related to vehicle loading and workplace safety, particularly regarding bales. They will consider improvements to guidance INDG125 during its next periodic review. The DVSA will update the 'Load Securing - Vehicle Operators Guidance' in collaboration with HSE, focusing on generic safe loading principles rather than specific bale/trailer combinations. The DfT Code of Practice, 'Safety Loads on Vehicles' (2002) will be amended to cross-reference the updated guidance.

Noted (AI summary) The City of London Police (CoLP) are working with partner agencies to test interoperability of communications and enhance training scenarios, including a 7 day live trial in February 2020 to station staff in the MPS control room, with a review in Autumn 2020, and are engaging with the MPS in ICCS and CAD upgrade projects, planning an interim solution until upgrades are complete. The BVRLA has worked with the DfT and law enforcement to prevent the use of rental vehicles in terrorist attacks, providing training, guidance and engagement opportunities to members, and has included additional criteria within member audits from Jan 2020 to monitor awareness, training and compliance against the Rental Vehicle Security Scheme. The LAS is planning a live trial for seven days in February 2020, with LAS and LFB staff based in the MPS control room, and will analyze the outcome and consider a recommendation for approval by Autumn 2020; it is also working with its emergency service partners and increased visibility of the HART and TRU teams. The Home Office acknowledges the coroner's concerns and provides context, stating that the issues raised are technical and will be considered by the police in collaboration with the Emergency Services Network programme. It also mentions ongoing work led by the National Police Chiefs' Council. The MPS is trialing a "London Emergency Services Contact Centre" with representatives from the LFB and LAS deployed within the Specialist Operations Room, with a table top exercise followed by a real-life 7-day trial planned for early 2020.

Noted (AI summary) The Office of Rail and Road believes the report would be better served to the station operator and infrastructure manager, as ORR does not have the power to take the action proposed by the Coroner. Govia Thameslink Railway has produced a new staff aide-memoire and is briefing staff on it, is updating Local Incident Response Plans, and has ordered new privacy screens for key locations. The Department for Transport is satisfied that measures undertaken by Govia Thameslink Railway should resolve the Coroner's concerns and will continue to manage all of its franchises through normal commercial management procedures.

Noted (AI summary) The Department for Transport states it is updating the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions (TSRGD), including Chapter 5 on pedestrian crossings, with updated advice on the design of pedestrian facilities, therefore no further action is considered necessary.

Noted (AI summary) The Department for Transport states that responsibility for traffic management on local roads rests with the local highway authority, and their role is to provide overarching strategy, policy, and guidance. They provide links to relevant guidance documents. The council states that there is currently no funding available for a roundabout project. Average speed cameras have reduced speeding offences, and the junction has been re-assessed with a lower priority ranking.

Noted (AI summary) The Parliamentary Authorities confirm that they already plan to consider the automation of Carriage Gates and their general ease of use as part of the ongoing renewal project; and external reviewers have already been extensively involved in the New Palace Yard project, and will continue to be involved. The MPS will revise Post Instructions to relevant groups by direct emails, in hard copy and/or via electronic devices; MPS is working with MO19 and the National Police Chief’s Council to provide additional training on de-escalation techniques; and the MPS will ensure that there is appropriate input from tactical advisers at challenge panels, and the newly appointed PaDP OFC Sergeant will ensure that AFOs fully understand not only relevant changes to post instructions but also the rationale behind the changes. The BVRLA has increased counter terrorism training and guidance made available to vehicle rental and leasing firms, and routinely shares data and intelligence with police and counter terrorist authorities. The Department for Transport launched its Rental Vehicle Security Scheme in December 2018. The MCA states sufficient guidance already exists in the public domain for operating commercial vessels and leisure boats on navigable rivers and canals, referring to existing codes and training courses. The London Ambulance Service states that the Chief Coroner found no matters of concern regarding their actions, so they will not be taking any further action. TfL implemented internal changes in October 2017 to improve communication of security advice. TfL is currently reviewing the height of all its bridge parapets to identify those that are below 1m high, with high priority bridges expected to be completed by April 2019. The Home Office states the government accepts the Chief Coroner's recommendations and has taken action. The Department for Transport (DfT) launched the Rental Vehicle Security Scheme (RVSS) on 6th December 2018, and an industry led Advisory Panel was launched in January to oversee the development of the scheme.

Noted (AI summary) The Department for Transport acknowledges the concerns regarding Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) but states it has no current plans to enforce further restrictions due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and potential detrimental effects on young people. They will continue to monitor the pilot scheme in Northern Ireland. The Department for Transport is using the introduction of GDL in Northern Ireland as a pilot to gather evidence on the potential for GDL in Great Britain. They have also allowed learner drivers on motorways when accompanied by an Approved Driving Instructor in a dual control car and increased the penalty for using a handheld mobile phone while driving.

Noted (AI summary) The Department for Transport acknowledges the coroner's concerns regarding quad bike safety and helmet use but states there are no immediate plans to make helmet use compulsory, though the position is under review. They note changes to casualty statistics are made as part of quinquennial reviews.

Noted (AI summary) Bury Council, as Highway Authority, states that all Highway Inspectors are scheduled to undergo specific training and competency checks to ensure they understand how to undertake their role under the new Code of Practice. There will be regular evidence based reviews of the new Code of Practice and monitoring. The Department for Transport acknowledges the concerns but notes that local highway authorities have a duty to maintain the highways network in their area and that Central Government has no powers to override local decisions in these matters. They endorse a code of practice, issued by the UK Roads Liaison Group, providing guidance to highway authorities on how to maintain and manage their highways.

Noted (AI summary) The Department for Transport expresses condolences but states there are no current plans to limit engine capacity for young drivers. They highlight existing road safety initiatives and commissioned research on measures to improve young driver safety.

Noted (AI summary) The RNLI recommends that landowners are responsible of implementing a range of appropriate control measures at beaches, and states that it can only establish new lifeguard units with the express permission of the relevant local authority, landowner, beach owner or operator. The council acknowledges the concerns and refers to previous reports and statements regarding beach management at Camber Sands, and states that restricting public use of beaches would be disproportionate. The Forum intends to update and expand the use of the WAID database and is seeking to identify suitable sources of funding for this development work. RoSPA states that it seeks to influence, inform, coordinate activity and advise within the existing structures for water safety, and states that significant landowners successfully manage sites with significant hazards to the public without noticeable impacts or blanket restrictions. The MCA has recently started working closely with the RNLI on coastal risk management, including a programme of visits to landowners to discuss and advise on local risks and the potential for raising public awareness through targeted safety interventions, and will conduct an independent review of its accident prevention activity.