Prevention of Future Deaths reports · 2025
Regulation 28 report to prevent future deaths, reference 2025-0012, written 9 Jan 2025. A coroner writes one of these when an inquest reveals a risk that could cause further deaths unless something changes.
| Date of report | 9 Jan 2025 |
|---|---|
| Reference | 2025-0012 |
| Deceased | John Liddle |
| Coroner | Georgina Nolan |
| Coroner area | Newcastle and North Tyneside |
| Category | Road (Highways Safety) related deaths |
| Source | judiciary.uk record · original PDF |
| Responses published | 1 |
Text extracted from the PDF text layer. Reproduced verbatim, including the scan's own layout.
ANNEX A REGULATION 28: REPORT TO PREVENT FUTURE DEATHS (1) REGULATION 28 REPORT TO PREVENT FUTURE DEATHS THIS REPORT IS BEING SENT TO: 1. 2. , Network Manager, Gateshead Council , Strategy Director, Gateshead Council 1 CORONER I am Georgina Nolan, Senior Coroner for Newcastle and North Tyneside. 2 CORONER’S LEGAL POWERS I make this report under paragraph 7, Schedule 5, of the Coroners and Justice Act 2009 and Regulations 28 and 29 of the Coroners (Investigations) Regulations 2013. 3 INVESTIGATION and INQUEST On 25th May 2023 I commenced an investigation into the death of John Michael Liddle, aged 44. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 10th January 2025. The conclusion of the inquest was Road Traffic Collision. The medical cause of Mr Liddle’s death was 1a) Blunt head injury. 4 CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE DEATH On the night of 3rd May 2023 John Michael Liddle was riding his pedal cycle southwards along the A694 Lockhaugh Road, Rowlands Gill, Gateshead. His cycle lights were illuminated and he was wearing a yellow cycling jacket. As he moved out towards the centre of the road to take the turn into Sherburn Park Drive he was hit by a minibus travelling behind him who was overtaking. Mr Liddle suffered unsurvivable head injuries and died at the Royal Victoria Infirmary Hospital in Newcastle upon Tyne on 21st May 2023. 5 CORONER’S CONCERNS During the course of the inquest the evidence revealed matters giving rise to concern. In my opinion there is a risk that future deaths could occur unless action is taken. In the circumstances it is my statutory duty to report to you. The MATTERS OF CONCERN are as follows. – (1) At the time of the collision the area of the A694 upon which Mr Liddle was cycling was subject to a 40 miles per hour speed limit; (2) The speed limit on this area of road has now (temporarily) been reduced to 30 miles per hour; (3) The road is within a residential area; (4) The road encompasses bends and junctions; (5) There have been a number of other collisions along the stretch of road involving pedal cycles, pedestrians and motor vehicles; and (6) A 40 miles per hour speed limit is unsafe for this stretch of road. 1 6 ACTION SHOULD BE TAKEN In my opinion action should be taken to prevent future deaths and I believe you and/or your organisation have the power to take such action. 7 YOUR RESPONSE You are under a duty to respond to this report within 56 days of the date of this report, namely by 7th March 2025. I, the coroner, may extend the period. Your response must contain details of action taken or proposed to be taken, setting out the timetable for action. Otherwise you must explain why no action is proposed. 8 COPIES and PUBLICATION I have sent a copy of my report to the Chief Coroner and to the interested persons, namely Mr Liddle’s family and the driver of the minibus involved in the collision. I am also under a duty to send the Chief Coroner a copy of your response. The Chief Coroner may publish either or both in a complete or redacted or summary form. She may send a copy of this report to any person who she believes may find it useful or of interest. You may make representations to me, the coroner, at the time of your response, about the release or the publication of your response by the Chief Coroner. 9 [DATE] [SIGNED BY CORONER] 9th January 2025 2
1 response published against this report on judiciary.uk. A response is a body's written reply to the coroner's concerns; publication is at the discretion of the Chief Coroner's office, so an absent response does not mean nobody replied.
Ms G Nolan, HM Senior Coroner Newcastle & North Tyneside Coroner Service By email only - Dear Ms Nolan, Our Ref: Your Ref: Contact: Tel No: Email: Date: 11th March 2025 Prevention of Future Deaths Report – John Liddle I write with reference to the above and your letter of the 28 January 2025, hopefully clarifying some of the points contained and to provide a formal response. Firstly, on behalf of the Council, I would like to offer our sincere condolences to the family of John Liddle. In response to the concerns raised, a decision was made to investigate the effect of a reduction to the speed limit from 40 to 30 mph using an experimental traffic regulation order, pursuant to the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984. This order stretches approximately 1.5km in length and incorporates the area where the fatal road traffic collision occurred. This Order commenced 7th November 2024 and will be in effect for a period of up to 18 months, during which time traffic speeds will be monitored and any further road traffic collisions will be investigated. The first six months of that period will be used for the public to comment on whether the scheme is working, or not. The Council will then review all the comments and decide how to proceed. If you have any queries about the contents of this letter, please contact me on telephone number or via email Yours sincerely Interim Strategic Housing, Environment and Healthy Communities Gateshead Council Civic Centre Regent Street Gateshead NE8 1HH Tel 0191 433 3000 • www.gateshead.gov.uk
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