Recipient

Hertfordshire County Council

First report 25 Jul 2014•Latest report 4 Sep 2025

Recipient record

Reports, concerns and published responses

Local government · English county council. This page brings together reports naming this recipient and response statements clearly connected to concerns raised in those reports.

Reports
6

Naming this recipient

Published responses
83%

Found for named reports

Concerns addressed
6

Across all linked responses

Stated actions
28

Described in responses

Reports over time

Reports over time

Reports naming this recipient by issue year.

Evidence profile

Report topics

Share of this recipient’s reports compared with all other recipients.

83%published responses found
28stated actions described

Topic comparisons are not available in the current evidence snapshot.

Concerns and recipient responses

Statements from Hertfordshire County Council linked to the concerns in each report. Select any concern, action or position to view the source wording.

  1. Hertfordshire

    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.

    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. 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

    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
    Page 3 · response
    Published 5 September 2025

    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 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
    Page 3 · response
    Published 5 September 2025

    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

    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
    Page 2 · response
    Published 5 September 2025

    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

    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
    Page 2 · response
    Published 5 September 2025

    Open published response
  2. Hertfordshire

    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.

    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. 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

    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
    Page 2 · response
    Published 17 April 2025

    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

    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
    Page 2 · response
    Published 17 April 2025

    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

    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
    Page 1 · response
    Published 17 April 2025

    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

    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
    Page 2 · response
    Published 17 April 2025

    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

    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
    Page 2 · response
    Published 17 April 2025

    Open published response
  3. Hertfordshire

    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.

    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. 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

    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
    Page 1 · response
    Published 15 September 2023

    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

    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
    Page 2 · response
    Published 15 September 2023

    Open published response
  4. Hertfordshire

    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.

    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. 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

    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
    Page 2 · response
    Published 24 February 2023

    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

    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
    Page 1 · response
    Published 24 February 2023

    Open published response
  5. Hertfordshire

    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.

    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. 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

    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
    Page 1 · response
    Published 29 April 2016

    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

    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
    Page 1 · response
    Published 29 April 2016

    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

    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
    Page 1 · response
    Published 29 April 2016

    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

    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
    Page 1 · response
    Published 29 April 2016

    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

    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
    Page 1 · response
    Published 29 April 2016

    Open published response
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Published response patterns

Compared with other recipients in reports included in PFD Monitor

Describes published response evidence, not performance.

Published responses found

83%
83%All other recipients 58%
0%100%

How actions were described at the time

This respondent
25%14%61%
All other recipients
47%25%27%<1%<1%
  • Completed
  • In progress
  • Planned
  • Unclear
  • Partially completed

Statuses reflect what recipients said at the time. PFD Monitor does not verify whether actions happened.

Types of action described in responses

Percentages use all actions described by each group. An action may have more than one type, so percentages do not total 100%.

Information checked against published PFD reports and official responses · Data reviewed 7 Sep 2026 · About data quality and limitations

Data last updated 7 September 2026