Prevention of Future Deaths reports · 2019

Edward McGivern

Regulation 28 report to prevent future deaths, written 14 Nov 2019. A coroner writes one of these when an inquest reveals a risk that could cause further deaths unless something changes.

Date of report14 Nov 2019
DeceasedEdward McGivern
CoronerAlison Mccormick
Coroner areaBerkshire
CategoryRoad (Highways Safety) related deaths
Sourcejudiciary.uk record · original PDF
Responses publishednone published

The report

Text extracted from the PDF text layer. Reproduced verbatim, including the scan's own layout.

Berkshire Coroner’s Office 
Reading Town Hall, Blagrave Street, Reading, RG1 1QH 
Tel. 01189372300 
coroner@reading.gov.uk 

Regulation 28: REPORT TO PREVENT FUTURE DEATHS (1) 

NOTE:  This from is to be used after an inquest. 
REGULATION 28 REPORT TO PREVENT DEATHS 

THIS REPORT IS BEING SENT TO:  

Slough Borough Council Highways Department 

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 14th November 2018 I commenced an investigation into the death of Edward McGivern.  The 
investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 6th November 2019. The conclusion of the 
inquest into the death was: 

Road Traffic Collision 

4   CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE DEATH 

At about 06.45 on Friday 9th November 2018 Mr. McGivern was cycling to work along Dover Road, 
Slough Trading Estate.  He was riding in a northerly direction along Dover Road, when his bicycle 
came into collision with a heavy goods vehicle, which turned left from Dover Road into Buckingham 
Avenue  at  a  traffic  light-controlled  junction.    As  a  consequence  of  the  collision  Mr.  McGivern 
sustained multiple injuries and died at the scene.  A post mortem revealed the cause of death to be 
1(a) multiple injuries.   

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. 

I  am  concerned  that  there  have  now  been  two  collisions  between  bicycles  and  motor 
vehicles at the junction of Dover Road and Buckingham Avenue caused by motor vehicles 
turning left at the traffic lights, and colliding with cyclists crossing the junction. 

There  are  many  commercial  vehicles  using  the  roads  around  Slough  Trading  Estate,  but 
also cyclists and pedestrians. 

The cycle lanes as they are marked on Dover Road may encourage cyclists to ride up the 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Berkshire Coroner’s Office 
Reading Town Hall, Blagrave Street, Reading, RG1 1QH 
Tel. 01189372300 
coroner@reading.gov.uk 

inside of vehicles waiting to turn left at the traffic lights, and they may not be seen by the 
drivers  of  those  vehicles  as  they  pull  away  from  the  lights  and  turn  left,  especially  during 
the hours of darkness 

The  sharing  of  the  carriageway  of  Dover  Road  between  bicycles  and  motor  vehicles  by 
means of cycle lanes may put cyclists at risk. 

A review of the road layout of Dover Road, including the question of whether there should 
be  dedicated  marked  cycle  lanes,  and  if  so,  whether  these  should  be  positioned  in  the 
carriageway  or  on  the  pavement  (so  that  the  carriageway  is  reserved  for  motor  vehicles 
and the pavement is shared between cyclists and pedestrians, with dedicated cycle paths) 
may produce a road system which is safer for cyclists. 

I consider that unless some action is taken there is a continuing risk of cyclists riding along 
Dover Road being struck by motorised vehicles turning left at junctions. 

6   ACTION SHOULD BE TAKEN 
In my opinion action should be taken to prevent future deaths, and I believe your organisation has 
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 9th January 2020.  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 following Interested Persons: 
The family of Edward McGivern 

, the driver of the heavy goods vehicle involved in the collision 

The insurers of the heavy goods vehicle driven by 
Thames Valley Police 

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.  He may 
send a copy of this report to any person who he 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. 

14th November 2019 
Alison McCormick 
Assistant Coroner for Berkshire

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