25 Oct 2024 Mark Francis ECCLES · Prevention of Future Deaths report Herefordshire
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Concerns raised 2 Limited visibility at the junction View source National Speed Limit at the junction View source
Actions described in response An action is something this recipient says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised. 2
Action
Reassess the junction during the 2025/26 programme to determine whether visibility improvements should be prioritised.
View source
Action
Install an official highways mirror at the junction and remove the privately installed mirror.
View source
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AI-generated summary
Mark Francis ECCLES · 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
Mark Francis Eccles died after a vehicle pulled out in front of his motorcycle near a junction while he was travelling on the B4361. The substantive concerns were limited visibility at the junction and that it was subject to the National Speed Limit.
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× Source evidence
How this individual concern was interpreted PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. The report was sent to Herefordshire Council; that does not assign responsibility.
PFD Monitor interpretation Limited visibility at the junction
Wider context from the report “(1) Visibility at the junction is limited.
” Open source report × Source evidence
How this individual concern was interpreted PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. The report was sent to Herefordshire Council; that does not assign responsibility.
PFD Monitor interpretation National Speed Limit at the junction
Wider context from the report “(2) The junction is subject to the National Speed Limit
” Open source report
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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 Reassess the junction during the 2025/26 programme to determine whether visibility improvements should be prioritised.
Verbatim wording from the response “As the budget for 2024/25 year is already fully committed for scheme delivery, we will nonetheless reassess this location as part of the upcoming 2025/6 year, with a view to determine if any improvements to visibility are justified as a priority, over and above other schemes. If they do, then the Council will undertake the necessary works next year. We will write to you of the progress in this regard at the appropriate time.” Source location Response from Herefordshire Council
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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 Install an official highways mirror at the junction and remove the privately installed mirror.
Verbatim wording from the response “c) In response to your report, the Council will now install an “official” highways mirror to improve visibility at this junction, and the existing one that has been privately installed since the collision will be removed.” Source location Response from Herefordshire Council
Open published response
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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 Limited funds and existing prioritisation mean the Council cannot currently undertake engineering improvements at this lower-collision site.
Verbatim wording from the response “At this specific location, there has been one further personal injury collision in the last 20 years, and it has not therefore featured in the prioritised list for engineering works or other improvements.” Source location Response from Herefordshire Council
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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 The Council considers the road’s National Speed Limit appropriate under Department for Transport criteria, which do not support isolated speed-limit interventions.
Verbatim wording from the response “2. The junction is subject to the National Speed Limit” Source location Response from Herefordshire Council
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30 Jun 2023 SAM MALCOLM TAYLOR · Prevention of Future Deaths report Herefordshire
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Concerns raised 3 Failure to progress applications to establish vulnerability View source Lack of an effective system for identifying process failure View source Failure to make contact with the deceased or approved contacts View source
Actions described in response An action is something this recipient says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised. 6
Action
Complete the overhaul of housing systems, procedures and operating practices.
View source
Action
Strengthen housing processes from first contact through decision-making and provide ongoing management guidance to frontline officers.
View source
Action
Roll out partnership working with health colleagues to share relevant information for decision-making.
View source
Action
Develop and roll out a case-auditing programme within the quality-assurance framework.
View source
Action
Operate supervision, CRM oversight and weekly case reviews to identify and address process failures.
View source
Action
Review housing procedures to align them with the Homelessness Reduction Act.
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AI-generated summary
SAM MALCOLM TAYLOR · 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
Sam Malcolm Taylor had mental health issues and previous suicide attempts, and was found alone in a tent next to the River Wye. The report raised concerns that a council communication process failure meant no contact was made with him or approved contacts before his death, that a housing vulnerability assessment was not progressed, and that systems for identifying process failures should be effective.
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× Source evidence
How this individual concern was interpreted PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. The report was sent to Herefordshire Council; that does not assign responsibility.
PFD Monitor interpretation Failure to progress applications to establish vulnerability
Wider context from the report “(2) Evidence suggests that in reality Mr Taylor would have met the threshold for vulnerability set out in the Housing Act 1996 but the failure to progress the application resulted in this never being established .
” Open source report × Source evidence
How this individual concern was interpreted PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. The report was sent to Herefordshire Council; that does not assign responsibility.
PFD Monitor interpretation Lack of an effective system for identifying process failure
Wider context from the report “(3) A system for identifying process failure should be in place and effective .
” Open source report × Source evidence
How this individual concern was interpreted PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. The report was sent to Herefordshire Council; that does not assign responsibility.
PFD Monitor interpretation Failure to make contact with the deceased or approved contacts
Wider context from the report “(1) A prevention duty was owed to the deceased and due to Herefordshire Council communication process failure , contact was not made with him or those with whom he had approved contact prior to his death.
” Open source report
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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 Complete the overhaul of housing systems, procedures and operating practices.
Verbatim wording from the response “4. A significant overhaul of systems, procedures and operating practices is required.” Source location Response from Herefordshire Council
Open published response
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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 Strengthen housing processes from first contact through decision-making and provide ongoing management guidance to frontline officers.
Verbatim wording from the response “• An experienced interim service manager has been in post since April 2023 and is leading the service improvement and development work which has already delivered strengthened processes, from first point of contact through to decision making, reviewed housing procedures to ensure they align with the Homelessness Reduction Act and is providing ongoing comprehensive management guidance and support to front line officers. Additional experienced interim capacity has also been brought into the service at the front line to support the embedding of the changes.” Source location Response from Herefordshire Council
Open published response
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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 Roll out partnership working with health colleagues to share relevant information for decision-making.
Verbatim wording from the response “The wider recommendations in relation to partnership working will roll out from January 2024. This will specifically include working with health colleagues in relation to ensuring that relevant information is shared to feed into any decision making processes.” Source location Response from Herefordshire Council
Open published response
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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 Develop and roll out a case-auditing programme within the quality-assurance framework.
Verbatim wording from the response “A programme of case auditing is also being developed in line with the directorate’s overall quality assurance framework which will roll out from October 2023.” Source location Response from Herefordshire Council
Open published response
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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 Operate supervision, CRM oversight and weekly case reviews to identify and address process failures.
Verbatim wording from the response “Herefordshire Council can confirm that a system for identifying any process failure is now in place and operating. The system covers:” Source location Response from Herefordshire Council
Open published response
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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 housing procedures to align them with the Homelessness Reduction Act.
Verbatim wording from the response “• An experienced interim service manager has been in post since April 2023 and is leading the service improvement and development work which has already delivered strengthened processes, from first point of contact through to decision making, reviewed housing procedures to ensure they align with the Homelessness Reduction Act and is providing ongoing comprehensive management guidance and support to front line officers. Additional experienced interim capacity has also been brought into the service at the front line to support the embedding of the changes.” Source location Response from Herefordshire Council
Open published response
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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 A vulnerability assessment was not required initially because the applicant owed a Prevention Duty; it became relevant only if a Relief Duty arose.
Verbatim wording from the response “At the point at which Mr Taylor contacted the service, he was not homeless in line with relevant legislation and it was not anticipated that he would be homeless until after the weekend; hence he was owed a Prevention duty at the time of contact with the service. He was made aware that should his circumstances change, then a Relief duty would be owed.” Source location Response from Herefordshire Council
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8 Jun 2022 Paul Haydn MORRIS and Alison Margaret MORRIS · Prevention of Future Deaths report Herefordshire
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Concerns raised 1 Limited visibility at the footpath crossing of the A44 View source
Actions described in response An action is something this recipient says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised. 3
Action
Remove foliage to improve forward visibility at the crossing.
View source
Action
Reinstate visibility splays along the bypass to improve visibility for pedestrians and motorists.
View source
Action
Add the Kington Bypass to an enhanced maintenance regime with quarterly safety inspections and designated steward awareness of site safety requirements.
View source
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AI-generated summary
Paul Haydn MORRIS and Alison Margaret MORRIS · 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
Paul Haydn MORRIS and Alison Margaret MORRIS died together with their family dog in a road traffic collision while crossing the A44 at Crooked Well, Kington, Herefordshire. The report raised concerns about limited visibility at the footpath crossing and invited consideration of foliage, safety barriers, the crossing design or position, traffic speed and signage.
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× Source evidence
How this individual concern was interpreted PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. The report was sent to Herefordshire Council; that does not assign responsibility.
PFD Monitor interpretation Limited visibility at the footpath crossing of the A44
Wider context from the report “(1) The point where the footpath crosses the A44 provides limited visibility to both pedestrians and motorists
” Open source report
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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 Remove foliage to improve forward visibility at the crossing.
Verbatim wording from the response “Following the collision, works were immediately undertaken to remove foliage and to improve the forward visibility at the location, this work taking place after the joint inspection by the Police and the Council’s lead road safety officer. An instruction has subsequently been issued to Balfor Beauty Living Places for the reinstatement of visibility splays along the length of the bypass; it is anticipated that this additional work will be complete before the end of September 2022. This piece of work will improve the visibility for pedestrians and motorists alike.” Source location Response from Kington Bypass Herefordshire Council
Open published response
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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 Reinstate visibility splays along the bypass to improve visibility for pedestrians and motorists.
Verbatim wording from the response “Following the collision, works were immediately undertaken to remove foliage and to improve the forward visibility at the location, this work taking place after the joint inspection by the Police and the Council’s lead road safety officer. An instruction has subsequently been issued to Balfor Beauty Living Places for the reinstatement of visibility splays along the length of the bypass; it is anticipated that this additional work will be complete before the end of September 2022. This piece of work will improve the visibility for pedestrians and motorists alike.” Source location Response from Kington Bypass Herefordshire Council
Open published response
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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 Add the Kington Bypass to an enhanced maintenance regime with quarterly safety inspections and designated steward awareness of site safety requirements.
Verbatim wording from the response “i) The issue of prevailing foliage is addressed above. In addition, the Council will add the Kington Bypass to its list of sites that require an enhanced maintenance regime. On top of regular monthly maintenance inspections for the A44, the whole site will have specific quarterly safety inspections that will include the side road and the footpath. The locality steward responsible for the inspections will be made aware of the requirements needed to ensure safety at this location. The regime will also ensure that the forward visibility along the bypass is maintained as per the original design requirements, taking into account the prevailing speed limit in force.” Source location Response from Kington Bypass Herefordshire Council
Open published response
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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 The existing pedestrian guardrail is considered adequate protection, so the historic crossing will not be moved or bridged.
Verbatim wording from the response “iii) The crossing point is a historic one and pre-dates the construction of the bypass. The line of the path is a public right of way, reference Kington Urban Footpath 29. The line of the path is complicated by the presence of a footbridge over the adjacent Gilwern Brook. The path is popular locally and provides ready access to the Offa’s Dyke. There are no plans at this time to either move the line of the footpath or to provide a footbridge over the A44. The presence of the pedestrian guardrail is considered to offer adequate protection and is standard practice for numerous situations where public rights of way cross a highway in the county.” Source location Response from Kington Bypass Herefordshire Council
Open published response
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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 The pedestrian guardrail is considered adequate, so its position and layout will not be altered.
Verbatim wording from the response “ii) The safety barrier, in the form of pedestrian guardrail, was installed to prevent pedestrians moving from the river bridge directly onto the bypass. It has the effect of halting pedestrians and encouraging them to check for traffic prior to crossing the road. There are no plans to move or alter the position or layout of the pedestrian guardrail as it is considered adequate to prevent inadvertent entry onto the bypass. The police are aware of this and have not raised any objections.” Source location Response from Kington Bypass Herefordshire Council
Open published response
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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 The speed limit will not be lowered below 50mph because that is considered appropriate for this road and limits apply by road section.
Verbatim wording from the response “iv) The A44 is currently subject to the National Speed Limit, i.e. 60mph for a single carriageway road. The Council is soon to consult on the lowering of the speed limit to 50mph, the lowest speed limit that is considered appropriate for this class of road and its nature, i.e. a road with minimal access points and good overall visibility. The Council will not be seeking to lower the speed limit further in the vicinity of the collision as speed limits are not set for point locations but rather for the overall look and feel of the network over a section of road. It is anticipated that this will take up to nine months to complete in order to allow for consultation and the statutory processes for making the necessary traffic regulation orders.” Source location Response from Kington Bypass Herefordshire Council
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Information checked against published PFD reports and official responses · Data reviewed 7 Sep 2026 · About data quality and limitations