Absolom Duffy

Marianne Johnson
HM Assistant Coroner

Date: 19th September 2023

Dear Mrs Johnson,

Head of Highways Asset and Local
Management Services
Lincolnshire County Council
County Offices
Newland
Lincoln LN1 1YL

Tel: 
Email: 

REGULATION 28 REPORT – ABSOLUM ADOLPHUS ABRAHAM ZEPHANIA DUFFY

Thank you for your letter dated 16th August 2023 enclosing your Regulation 28 Report
following the inquest investigating the death of the late Mr Duffy. As required under Section
7 of your report, we have now considered your points and respond accordingly.

CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE DEATH:

Absolom Duffy was travelling in his Land Rover Defender motor vehicle on the 8th July 2021
when he exited from Sand Lane, Saxilby onto Doddington Road and collided with another
vehicle. Paramedics attended however he died as a result of his injuries.

YOUR MATTERS OF CONCERN:

Your concerns listed in the Report are:



The B1190 Tom Otter’s Lane junction with the C267 Sand Lane, Saxilby, Lincolnshire
provides for the road user approaching from either direction on Sand Lane to give
way to traffic on the major B1190 road. There is a restricted view of the B1190 as a
road user approaches the junction. To be certain the B1190 road is clear a road user
would be required to stop, however the road signage only requires a road user to
give way. Would the junction be safer for road users if it displayed a stop command
rather than a give way warning?

RESPONSE:

We have conducted a thorough investigation into this location, with your concerns in mind.
Over the last 5 years, there has been one other collision at this location. This was on the
South-West junction arm, the opposite side to this collision. This was a serious collision and
involved a lorry travelling South-West to North-East, not giving way at Sand Lane junction

_________________________________________________________________________________
County Offices, Newland
Lincoln LN1 1YL
www.lincolnshire.gov.uk

 with Tom Otters Lane, colliding with a car driving South-East to North-West. The collision

was during foggy and wet weather at 08:00 in the morning on 17

th

December 2021.

Tom Otters/Sand Lane junction is within a 60mph speed limit on all approaches. The
approaches along Tom Otters Lane have both map signs and crossroad warning signs on
each approach.

The warning signs from the North-West arm of the junction also have “370 yds” plates
below them. The ones from the South-East arm have “Reduce Speed Now” plates below
them. The North-Eastern arm, where the collision occurred, has an advanced “Give Way
300yds” sign with countdown marker signs at every 100 yards to the junction. The junction
mouth itself has a large yellow backed “Give Way” warning sign on each side. There are
centre lines on the approach and the give way markings at the junction.

The visibility at the junction to the South-East is approximately 220m. The visibility to the
North-West is approximately 200m. There is vegetation that could be cut back to improve
this further.

The Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions deals with STOP signs. It states:







2.2.1.  STOP signs, other than at junctions with tramways, should be provided only
where visibility is so restricted that it is essential for drivers to stop before entering
the major road. The sign will be well respected only if drivers can see the need for it.

The possibility of making a visibility improvement at a junction should always be
investigated before considering a STOP sign. Restriction of visibility caused, for
example, by a hedge that can be reduced in height or removed will not normally
justify a STOP sign, particularly as highway authorities have powers under section 79
of the Highways Act 1980 to remove such obstructions.

2.2.2.  Visibility distances which a STOP sign might be considered are specified in
Table 2-1. Other factors which should be taken into account include traffic volumes
on both the major and minor roads, gradient of the minor road, accident record,
poor alignment or any other factors which cause unusual difficulty. It does not
automatically follow that STOP signs should always be provided at sites where the
criteria are met.

The visibility distance below which a STOP sign might be considered at this location is 90m
(based on using 85th percentile speed of 60mph) as specified in Table 2.1 of Traffic Signs
Manual Chapter 3.

In conclusion, as outlined above the visibility at the junction to the South-East is
approximately 220m. The visibility to the North-West is approximately 200m. As such, the
visibility at this junction far exceeds that required to consider a STOP sign (and would do
so for any 85th percentile speed) and so on consideration, we are not proposing to change
the existing GIVE WAY signage at this time.

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 ACTIONS TAKEN (TO BE TAKEN):

 Vegetation at approaches to this junction will be assessed regularly by the Local

Highways team, with appropriate enforcement action taken to ensure that it gives
maximum visibility and does not reduce the splays when exiting onto the B1190.

Yours sincerely,

Head of Highways Asset and Local Management Services

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