Recurring concern

Inadequate control of collision risks on steep, bending roads in slippery conditions

First to latest report 12 Feb 2024 — 3 Jul 2024

Reports that mention this concern: 2
Times this concern has been raised: 2
Stated actions linked to this concern: 8

What this concern includes

Includes failures or hazards involving steep or sharply bending road sections in icy or slippery conditions where road-surface defects, ice treatment, mitigation, road design or other dedicated controls leave road users exposed to loss of control or collision.

What is not included

Excludes generic recurring road collisions or road-safety concerns without the shared steep or sharply bending road and slippery-condition qualifier.
Excludes dry-condition collision hazards and road hazards caused solely by speed, visibility, signage, junction layout or stationary vehicles.
Excludes isolated car-park, pedestrian, access-ramp and non-road hazards.
Excludes generic highway maintenance or mitigation deficiencies unless they directly concern controlling collision risk from slippery conditions on a steep or bending road.

Trends

Reports over time

Reports mentioning this concern, over time

Reports about this concern issued each year.

* 2026 is projected from reports observed to 7 Sep 2026.

Most frequent recipients

Reports about this concern sent to each recipient.

Dorset Council1

Durham County Council1

Wessex Water Services Limited1

Reports and published responses 2 reports

See individual reports that have raised this concern, and the actions taken in response

3 Jul2024
County Durham and Darlington
Concerns raised1
1. Hazard to vehicular traffic on the steep, sharply bending stretch of Butsfield Lane in slippery conditions
Linked response

Durham County Council
Stated actions 3
1. Durham County Council
  Check the road gradient between known points and assess whether updated gradient signage is required.
2. Durham County Council
  Provide an additional salt bin.
3. Durham County Council
  Investigate potential additional safety features, including signage, and assess their suitability for Busfield Lane.
Respondent positions 4
1. Durham County Council
  After checking the gradient, no further action was considered necessary because the average gradient between two known points was 13%.
  No action considered necessary
1. Durham County Council
  No additional signage was proposed because traffic-sign regulations provided no suitable sign or combination of signs for this location.
  Unable to act
2. Durham County Council
  Busfield Lane was excluded from routine gritting because the existing winter-service policy prioritises strategic roads and resources are limited.
  Existing arrangements considered sufficient
3. Durham County Council
  No further action was planned because, after reviewing all options, practical improvements to the network were not considered achievable.
  Unable to act
AI-generated summary

Sonny James FARRIER · Prevention of Future Deaths report

This summary was generated using AI from the published report. Please read the original report for the complete account.

Report summary

Sonny James FARRIER died after being struck by a car while outside a van that had collided with a tree on an icy stretch of Butsfield Lane. The report identified that, in slippery conditions and without effective mitigation, this section of road presents a risk of death to road users.

Read the report on judiciary.uk
Source evidence
How this individual concern was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below.
PFD Monitor interpretation
Hazard to vehicular traffic on the steep, sharply bending stretch of Butsfield Lane in slippery conditions
Wider context from the report
“The Road called Butsfield Lane in Consett (locally known as “Bogle Hole Lane”), approximately 1 km north-east of its junction with Delves Lane, includes a hill of between 19 and 21% gradient, with a bend immediately beyond its lower portion. In slippery conditions, and in the absence of effective mitigation, passage of vehicular traffic along this stretch of Butsfield Lane presents a hazard and risk of death to road users. ”
Source location
Sonny James FARRIER · Prevention of Future Deaths report
Page 2 · concerns
Open source report
Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation
Check the road gradient between known points and assess whether updated gradient signage is required.

Verbatim wording from the response
“• Check accuracy of gradient and if required change the existing sign with the “new” gradient – The gradient was checked between 2 known points 120m apart. It is accepted there are some isolated locations between the 2 points where the gradient exceeds 13% but the average gradient is 13%. No further action required/taken;”

Source location
Response from Durham County Council
Page 1 · response
Published 4 July 2024
Open published response
Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation
Provide an additional salt bin.

Verbatim wording from the response
“• Consider the provision of an additional salt bin – New additional salt bin provided;”

Source location
Response from Durham County Council
Page 1 · response
Published 4 July 2024
Open published response
Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation
Investigate potential additional safety features, including signage, and assess their suitability for Busfield Lane.

Verbatim wording from the response
“Signage Following receipt of the council’s fatal accident report and the concerns highlighted in your report we have also investigated other potential safety features we could facilitate to improve safety on Busfield Lane for example the introduction of additional signage. However, having reviewed and considered the advice provided in The Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016 there is not a sign, or combination of signs which would be suitable for this location.”

Source location
Response from Durham County Council
Page 3 · response
Published 4 July 2024
Open published response
Source evidence

How this respondent position was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation
After checking the gradient, no further action was considered necessary because the average gradient between two known points was 13%.

Verbatim wording from the response
“• Check accuracy of gradient and if required change the existing sign with the “new” gradient – The gradient was checked between 2 known points 120m apart. It is accepted there are some isolated locations between the 2 points where the gradient exceeds 13% but the average gradient is 13%. No further action required/taken;”

Source location
Response from Durham County Council
Page 1 · response
Published 4 July 2024
Open published response
Source evidence

How this respondent position was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation
No additional signage was proposed because traffic-sign regulations provided no suitable sign or combination of signs for this location.

Verbatim wording from the response
“Signage Following receipt of the council’s fatal accident report and the concerns highlighted in your report we have also investigated other potential safety features we could facilitate to improve safety on Busfield Lane for example the introduction of additional signage. However, having reviewed and considered the advice provided in The Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016 there is not a sign, or combination of signs which would be suitable for this location.”

Source location
Response from Durham County Council
Page 3 · response
Published 4 July 2024
Open published response
Source evidence

How this respondent position was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation
Busfield Lane was excluded from routine gritting because the existing winter-service policy prioritises strategic roads and resources are limited.

Verbatim wording from the response
“Gritting Routes The Council precautionary salts 45% of our highway network as part of our Priority 1 network, with a further 10% being treated in prolonged severe weather as part of our Priority 2 network. This is much higher than many other similar Highway Authorities and shows the Council’s commitment to provide the best winter maintenance service we can in line with available resources.”

Source location
Response from Durham County Council
Page 2 · response
Published 4 July 2024
Open published response
Source evidence

How this respondent position was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation
No further action was planned because, after reviewing all options, practical improvements to the network were not considered achievable.

Verbatim wording from the response
“The council takes its responsibility to ensure the highway network is maintained in a safe and serviceable condition all year round and especially during the winter period. This can be evidenced by the importance it places on its winter service. However, on this particular road, having reviewed all options we don’t consider improvements to the network can be achieved practically and therefore whilst we accept the death of an individual as a result of weather conditions is a very emotive subject we have come to the very difficult conclusion that no further action is required on Busfield Lane.”

Source location
Response from Durham County Council
Page 3 · response
Published 4 July 2024
Open published response
12 Feb2024
Dorset
Concerns raised1
1. Recurring collision hazard from ice on a steep, curved road section
This report raised 2 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Linked response

Dorset Council
Stated actions 5
1. Dorset Council
  Conduct joint site visits with Dorset Police after every fatal collision, assess highway-condition factors, and take necessary mitigating action.
2. Dorset Council
  Dig out existing and additional drainage ditches to assist water flow at the identified location.
3. Dorset Council
  Resurface the road and adjust its camber so naturally occurring surface water enters the existing drainage system efficiently.
1. Dorset Council
  Review the B3091 between Sturminster Newton and Shaftesbury within three months to consider additional proportionate improvements.
2. Dorset Council
  Review winter-service policy measures concerning water on the highway during precautionary salting operations, completing the review by September 2024.
Respondent positions 1
1. Dorset Council
  Resources and practicability constrain winter service, so ice and snow cannot be prevented or cleared across all network routes at all times.
  Unable to act
AI-generated summary

Natalie Christina Mountford · Prevention of Future Deaths report

This summary was generated using AI from the published report. Please read the original report for the complete account.

Report summary

Natalie Christina Mountford was struck by a vehicle while assisting at an earlier collision on an icy road and died at the scene from her injuries. The report raised concerns about repeated collisions at the location, the failure to investigate flowing water during highway inspections, and the absence of a robust process for logging and acting on reports of water leaks onto the highway.

Read the report on judiciary.uk
Source evidence
How this individual concern was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below.
PFD Monitor interpretation
Recurring collision hazard from ice on a steep, curved road section
Wider context from the report
“i. This section of the B3091 appears to be an accident “black spot”, with previous collisions likely to have occurred as a consequence of the presence of ice on the road, combined with a steep incline and a bend in the road; ”
Source location
Natalie Christina Mountford · Prevention of Future Deaths report
Page 3 · concerns
Open source report
Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation
Conduct joint site visits with Dorset Police after every fatal collision, assess highway-condition factors, and take necessary mitigating action.

Verbatim wording from the response
“We work with partners to reduce serious collisions and after every fatal road traffic collision the Road Safety Team conduct a joint site visit with Dorset Police to consider any factors regarding the condition of the highway which could have contributed to the collision and take any necessary mitigating action to maintain the highway to a safe standard to prevent future collisions.”

Source location
Response from Dorset Council
Page 2 · response
Published 21 February 2024
Open published response
Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation
Dig out existing and additional drainage ditches to assist water flow at the identified location.

Verbatim wording from the response
“On the 4 January 2023 a joint site visit was conducted by qualified Road Safety Auditors from the team during which it was identified that water flowing out of the road surface over the middle of the carriageway (leading to the possible build-up of ice/slush) was a likely contributing factor. The water appeared to be emanating from a Wessex Water (WW) trench reinstatement and therefore contact was made with WW to ensure that they would take action to address the risk with their asset. The auditors were notified by Dorset Police that water on the road was an active line of enquiry and that investigators from the Serious Collisions Investigation Team were in contact with WW. The auditors noted that as a precaution the local Highways Team would be digging out the existing and some additional drainage ditches to assist water flow.”

Source location
Response from Dorset Council
Page 2 · response
Published 21 February 2024
Open published response
Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation
Resurface the road and adjust its camber so naturally occurring surface water enters the existing drainage system efficiently.

Verbatim wording from the response
“As part of the site investigation consideration was given to the tragic road death which occurred near to this location on the 19 December 2017. It was noted that after this collision (2017) the road was resurfaced with the roads camber being adjusted to improve the ride quality and to ensure that any naturally occurring surface water entered the existing drainage system in an efficient manner. These works were complete in September 2018.”

Source location
Response from Dorset Council
Page 2 · response
Published 21 February 2024
Open published response
Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation
Review the B3091 between Sturminster Newton and Shaftesbury within three months to consider additional proportionate improvements.

Verbatim wording from the response
“I will commit my team to review the B3091 between Sturminster Newton and Shaftesbury within the next three months to consider whether there are any additional proportionate improvements required.”

Source location
Response from Dorset Council
Page 3 · response
Published 21 February 2024
Open published response
Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation
Review winter-service policy measures concerning water on the highway during precautionary salting operations, completing the review by September 2024.

Verbatim wording from the response
“Dorset Council sets out its plan for managing the highway network during winter in its ‘Winter Service Policy and Operational Plan’. This policy is reviewed annually, and we will commit to reviewing the measures and actions set out in this policy with regards to the presence of water on the highway network encountered during precautionary salting operations. This review will be complete, and any identified amendments implemented, by September 2024.”

Source location
Response from Dorset Council
Page 4 · response
Published 21 February 2024
Open published response
Source evidence

How this respondent position was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation
Resources and practicability constrain winter service, so ice and snow cannot be prevented or cleared across all network routes at all times.

Verbatim wording from the response
“There is no positive statutory duty placed upon a highway authority to drain a highway; however, section 41(a) of the Highways Act (1980) places a duty upon highway authorities to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that safe passage along a highway is not endangered by snow or ice.”

Source location
Response from Dorset Council
Page 4 · response
Published 21 February 2024
Open published response

Actions and positions describe what organisations say in published responses. Implementation is not independently verified.

Data last updated 7 September 2026

What this concern includes

Trends

Reports mentioning this concern, over time

Concerns raised1

Hazard to vehicular traffic on the steep, sharply bending stretch of Butsfield Lane in slippery conditions

Linked response

Stated actions An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.3

Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.4

Concerns raised1

Recurring collision hazard from ice on a steep, curved road section

Linked response

Stated actions An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.5

Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1

Stated actions 3

Respondent positions 4

Stated actions 5

Respondent positions 1