4 Sep 2025 Cheryl Dawn Lorna Edwards · Prevention of Future Deaths report Hertfordshire
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Concerns raised 1 Excessive speed limit on the specified stretch of Sarratt Road 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
Maintain the current speed limit at this location while focusing on systemic road-safety improvements.
View source
Action
Review the Speed Management Strategy, including area-wide rural approaches and rural speed-limit requirements.
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AI-generated summary
Cheryl Dawn Lorna Edwards · 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
Cheryl Dawn Lorna Edwards was struck and killed by a car while crossing Sarratt Road, Croxley Green, on 28 September 2023. The principal concern was that the 60mph speed limit was too high for the stretch of Sarratt Road between the M25 over-bridge and the speed restriction sign for Sarratt Village.
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How this individual concern was interpreted PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. The report was sent to Hertfordshire County Council; that does not assign responsibility.
PFD Monitor interpretation Excessive speed limit on the specified stretch of Sarratt Road
Wider context from the report “(1) That the speed limit of 60mph is too high for the stretch of Sarratt Road between the M25 over-bridge and the speed restriction sign for Sarratt Village .
” 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 Maintain the current speed limit at this location while focusing on systemic road-safety improvements.
Verbatim wording from the response “• In light of the evidence in relation to speed, and in line with the Department for Transport Circular 01/2013 and our Speed Management Strategy, we will maintain the current limit, focusing on systemic improvements rather than changing the speed limit for an isolated hazard.” Source location Response from Hertfordshire County 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 Review the Speed Management Strategy, including area-wide rural approaches and rural speed-limit requirements.
Verbatim wording from the response “• We will consider area wide rural speed management approaches as part of our Speed Management Strategy review, which is underway, and strengthen messaging to the public to explain speed limits and road user behaviour in a rural context.” Source location Response from Hertfordshire County 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 Available evidence indicates excessive speed was not a cause; visibility and reaction time were the key contributory factors.
Verbatim wording from the response “Speed:
The Police Investigation Report estimated impact speed between 24–44mph; no evidence of excessive speed was found. Separate evidence shows that mean vehicle speeds on Sarratt Road are typically 30–40mph, significantly below the national speed limit. We acknowledge that speed has been cited as a proxy cause of the incident, suggesting the driver of the car had insufficient time to respond in the situation.” Source location Response from Hertfordshire County 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 current speed limit will be maintained because it remains consistent with evidence, police advice and applicable speed-management strategies.
Verbatim wording from the response ““…the police Traffic Management Officer opinion is that the speed limit does not need to be reduced and remains within the consistency and parameters of speed management strategies.”” Source location Response from Hertfordshire County Council
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17 Feb 2025 Joshua Jay Weavers · Prevention of Future Deaths report Hertfordshire
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Concerns raised 4 Failure to implement planned reforms to ASD assessments View source Failure of bridge safety measures to meet current guidance for preventing pedestrian jumping or falling View source Delays in ASD assessments View source Lengthy waiting times for ASD assessments in Hertfordshire View source See 1 more concern
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
Use the inspection findings to assess the feasibility and costs of raising or replacing the parapets and consider the appropriate improvement options.
View source
Action
Liaise with Network Rail and undertake Principal Inspections of both bridges to assess their structural condition.
View source
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AI-generated summary
Joshua Jay Weavers · 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
Joshua Jay Weavers died on 4 March 2021 after jumping from a railway bridge and being struck by a high-speed train. The report raises concerns about lengthy waits for autism spectrum disorder assessments, delays in implementing assessment-service reforms, and bridge safety measures that did not meet current guidance.
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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 Hertfordshire County Council; that does not assign responsibility.
PFD Monitor interpretation Failure to implement planned reforms to ASD assessments
Wider context from the report “2. That whilst the local mental health Trust has plans to reform the manner in which ASD assessments for patients under their care are undertaken, the implementation of those plans awaits input from the Integrated Care Board . This means that waiting times for ASD assessments in Hertfordshire remain lengthy which in turn gives rise to a risk of future deaths occurring for the reasons set out above.
” 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 Hertfordshire County Council; that does not assign responsibility.
PFD Monitor interpretation Failure of bridge safety measures to meet current guidance for preventing pedestrian jumping or falling
Wider context from the report “3. That the safety measures in place on the ████████ to guard against pedestrians either jumping or falling from the bridge do not meet current guidance , and therefore gives rise to a risk of future deaths occurring.
” 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 Hertfordshire County Council; that does not assign responsibility.
PFD Monitor interpretation Delays in ASD assessments
Wider context from the report “1. That, nationally, waiting times for ASD assessments are very long . Such assessments are important in guiding effective care and treatment, as well as being a potential gateway to access other relevant services. This combined with the fact of an increased risk of suicidal behaviour amongst those who receive a diagnosis of ASD, gives rise to a concern that future deaths may occur on account of the delays in ASD assessment .
” 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 Hertfordshire County Council; that does not assign responsibility.
PFD Monitor interpretation Lengthy waiting times for ASD assessments in Hertfordshire
Wider context from the report “2. That whilst the local mental health Trust has plans to reform the manner in which ASD assessments for patients under their care are undertaken, the implementation of those plans awaits input from the Integrated Care Board. This means that waiting times for ASD assessments in Hertfordshire remain lengthy which in turn gives rise to a risk of future deaths occurring for the reasons set out above.
” 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 Use the inspection findings to assess the feasibility and costs of raising or replacing the parapets and consider the appropriate improvement options.
Verbatim wording from the response “To inspect the footbridge and southern road bridge safely, we need Network Rail's permission for a time when the railway is closed and the overhead power lines turned off. We will use the next Principal Inspection to assess the feasibility of raising or replacing the parapets with new, higher versions. We are currently liaising with Network Rail and will undertake the Principal Inspection at the first opportunity. Once this is complete, we will be able to better understand the feasibility and costs of parapet improvements and consider the most appropriate course of action.” Source location Response from Hertfordshire 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 Liaise with Network Rail and undertake Principal Inspections of both bridges to assess their structural condition.
Verbatim wording from the response “To inspect the footbridge and southern road bridge safely, we need Network Rail's permission for a time when the railway is closed and the overhead power lines turned off. We will use the next Principal Inspection to assess the feasibility of raising or replacing the parapets with new, higher versions. We are currently liaising with Network Rail and will undertake the Principal Inspection at the first opportunity. Once this is complete, we will be able to better understand the feasibility and costs of parapet improvements and consider the most appropriate course of action.” Source location Response from Hertfordshire 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 Parapet heights cannot safely be raised until inaccessible structural areas are assessed using up-to-date condition information.
Verbatim wording from the response “We explored simple ways to raise the height of the parapets on the footbridge but unfortunately, concluded that this could not be done safely without up-to-date information on the condition of the structure, parts of which are impossible to access” Source location Response from Hertfordshire 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 Closing the footbridge is not considered a safer response because diversion could increase unsafe pedestrian crossings and exacerbate isolation.
Verbatim wording from the response “We therefore considered an alternative approach of closing the footbridge. This would create a lengthy diversion for pedestrians to access the southern road bridge and an increased risk of pedestrians crossing the dual carriageway at an unsafe location.” Source location Response from Hertfordshire 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 Bridge inspections require Network Rail permission, railway closure and overhead power isolation before feasibility of parapet improvements can be assessed.
Verbatim wording from the response “To inspect the footbridge and southern road bridge safely, we need Network Rail's permission for a time when the railway is closed and the overhead power lines turned off. We will use the next Principal Inspection to assess the feasibility of raising or replacing the parapets with new, higher versions. We are currently liaising with Network Rail and will undertake the Principal Inspection at the first opportunity. Once this is complete, we will be able to better understand the feasibility and costs of parapet improvements and consider the most appropriate course of action.” Source location Response from Hertfordshire Council
Open published response
1 Aug 2023 David Alistair Andrews · Prevention of Future Deaths report Hertfordshire
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Concerns raised 1 Permission for heavy goods vehicles to stop and unload while blocking the southbound carriageway 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
Promote a Traffic Regulation Order prohibiting loading and unloading along the affected highway section.
View source
Action
Engage NuYard to establish safer systems of work for servicing the site.
View source
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AI-generated summary
David Alistair Andrews · 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
David Alistair Andrews, a cyclist, collided with a stationary heavy goods vehicle on the A4251, suffered significant traumatic injuries, and died at St George’s Hospital on 12 July 2022. The principal concern was that heavy goods vehicles were permitted to stop to unload on this stretch of road, effectively blocking the southbound carriageway and creating an ongoing risk.
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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 Hertfordshire County Council; that does not assign responsibility.
PFD Monitor interpretation Permission for heavy goods vehicles to stop and unload while blocking the southbound carriageway
Wider context from the report “1. That on this particular stretch of road heavy goods vehicles are permitted to stop in order to unload, thereby effectively blocking the southbound carriageway .
” 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 Promote a Traffic Regulation Order prohibiting loading and unloading along the affected highway section.
Verbatim wording from the response “DETAILS OF ACTION PROPOSED
Since receiving this Regulation 28 Report to Prevent Future Deaths, officers have reviewed this information and have decided that an appropriate Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) will be promoted to ensure that loading and unloading is not permitted along this section of highway. The most appropriate form of TRO for this location has yet to be” Source location Response from Hertfordshire County 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 Engage NuYard to establish safer systems of work for servicing the site.
Verbatim wording from the response “Our Network Management Team will engage with the company named “NuYard” to establish what systems of work they have in place for servicing the site as safely as practicable. This will be undertaken by the end of November 2023.” Source location Response from Hertfordshire County Council
Open published response
13 Feb 2023 Steven Easdale · Prevention of Future Deaths report Hertfordshire
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Concerns raised 1 Lack of working lights on a pedestrian refuge 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. 1
Action
Add the site to the asset inventory and inspect and maintain its bollards and beacon every 20 days, attending to faults when necessary.
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AI-generated summary
Steven Easdale · 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
Steven Easdale was struck by a car while crossing the B197 Digswell Hill on 5 November 2021 and died at Addenbrookes Hospital on 12 December 2021 from injuries sustained in the collision. The principal concern was that an unlit pedestrian refuge and nearby streetlamp posed a danger to road users and pedestrians; the coroner considered that illumination may have helped the driver see Mr Easdale earlier and avoid the collision.
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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 Hertfordshire County Council; that does not assign responsibility.
PFD Monitor interpretation Lack of working lights on a pedestrian refuge
Wider context from the report “(1) That the lack of working lights on the pedestrian refuge on the B197 Digswell Hill (near the Red Lion Public House) poses a danger to road users and pedestrians. Specifically that neither the illuminated bollard nor the streetlamp are in working order .
” 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 Add the site to the asset inventory and inspect and maintain its bollards and beacon every 20 days, attending to faults when necessary.
Verbatim wording from the response “The HCC highways team were able to confirm all illuminations were in-light on 13th January 2023. The location has been checked every 20-days since then and has been in-light each time.” Source location Response from Hertfordshire County 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 refuge beacon is not designed to provide lighting for crossing users; it only identifies the island for motorists from a distance.
Verbatim wording from the response “[Please note the reference to streetlamp in the Report is interpreted to mean the refuge beacon on the same island as the bollards. The refuge beacon is a low wattage unit with minimal light output in a downward direction to identify the island for motorists from a distance. It is not designed to provide lighting for users of the crossing]” Source location Response from Hertfordshire County Council
Open published response
29 Apr 2016 Jan Bodnar · Prevention of Future Deaths report Hertfordshire
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Concerns raised 2 Failure to regularly cut back plant growth at road junctions View source Plant growth severely restricting drivers’ view at a 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. 5
Action
Clear vegetation at the A505 Slip End Farm junction within the central reserve safety barrier.
View source
Action
Assess similar junctions between Baldock and Royston to identify locations requiring additional vegetation clearance.
View source
Action
Revise highway safety inspectors’ remit to identify vegetation requiring corrective action on this length of road.
View source
Action
Clear vegetation at six identified junctions between Baldock and Royston beyond cyclical grass-cutting maintenance.
View source
Action
Revise the vegetation maintenance regime so tree, shrub and plant-growth cutting is coordinated annually with grass cutting on this length of road.
View source See 2 more actions
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AI-generated summary
Jan Bodnar · 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
Jan Bodnar died after his motorcycle collided with a car crossing the A505 near Ashwell on 12 July 2015. The report raised concerns that plant growth in the central reservation severely restricted visibility for drivers and that similar risks might exist at other junctions on the road.
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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 Hertfordshire County Council; that does not assign responsibility.
PFD Monitor interpretation Failure to regularly cut back plant growth at road junctions
Wider context from the report “(1) That the state of the central reservation at this junction was dangerous in that the plant growth severely restricted the view for a driver of traffic approaching from the left.
(2) The evidence showed that the growth had been cut back a week or so after this incident, but the risk of danger to motorists will only be avoided if the growth at this junction is regularly cut back .
(3) The evidence showed that similar risks may well be present at other similar junctions on this road .
” 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 Hertfordshire County Council; that does not assign responsibility.
PFD Monitor interpretation Plant growth severely restricting drivers’ view at a junction
Wider context from the report “(1) That the state of the central reservation at this junction was dangerous in that the plant growth severely restricted the view for a driver of traffic approaching from the left .
(2) The evidence showed that the growth had been cut back a week or so after this incident, but the risk of danger to motorists will only be avoided if the growth at this junction is regularly cut back.
(3) The evidence showed that similar risks may well be present at other similar junctions on this road.
” 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 Clear vegetation at the A505 Slip End Farm junction within the central reserve safety barrier.
Verbatim wording from the response “• Cleared the vegetation (tree, shrubs and other plant growth) at the A505 Slip End Farm junction (inside the safety barrier within the central reserve) on 25 and 27 July 2015.” Source location 2016-0166-Response-by-Hertfordshire-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 Assess similar junctions between Baldock and Royston to identify locations requiring additional vegetation clearance.
Verbatim wording from the response “• Carried out an assessment of similar junctions on this section of road between Baldock and Royston. This has revealed that of the 11 junctions, 6 require further vegetation clearance over and above what is covered by our cyclical grass cutting maintenance programme. This work is planned to be undertaken in July 2016, subject to weather and other factors outside of our control.” Source location 2016-0166-Response-by-Hertfordshire-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 Revise highway safety inspectors’ remit to identify vegetation requiring corrective action on this length of road.
Verbatim wording from the response “• Revised the remit for our highway safety inspectors for this length of road to ensure that vegetation of this nature is identified, enabling corrective action to be programmed.” Source location 2016-0166-Response-by-Hertfordshire-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 Clear vegetation at six identified junctions between Baldock and Royston beyond cyclical grass-cutting maintenance.
Verbatim wording from the response “• Carried out an assessment of similar junctions on this section of road between Baldock and Royston. This has revealed that of the 11 junctions, 6 require further vegetation clearance over and above what is covered by our cyclical grass cutting maintenance programme. This work is planned to be undertaken in July 2016, subject to weather and other factors outside of our control.” Source location 2016-0166-Response-by-Hertfordshire-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 Revise the vegetation maintenance regime so tree, shrub and plant-growth cutting is coordinated annually with grass cutting on this length of road.
Verbatim wording from the response “• Revised the maintenance regime for vegetation for this length of road, so that the cutting of trees, shrubs and other plant growth will be carried out in co-ordination with grass cutting on an annual basis.” Source location 2016-0166-Response-by-Hertfordshire-Council
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Information checked against published PFD reports and official responses · Data reviewed 7 Sep 2026 · About data quality and limitations