24 Oct 2022 Matthew James Rouch · Prevention of Future Deaths report South Wales Central
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Concerns raised 2 Failure to ensure drivers slow down when approaching the A48 ‘Forage roundabout junction’ from every direction View source Lack of road-user awareness of the A48 ‘Forage roundabout junction’ View source
Responses linked to these concerns
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AI-generated summary
Matthew James Rouch · 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
Matthew Rouch, aged 41, was fatally injured in a motorbike collision with a roundabout on the A48 near Cowbridge on 29 September 2021. The report raised concerns that the A48 Forage roundabout junction was dangerous and that, without changes to improve awareness and reduce vehicle speeds, further deaths might occur.
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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 Vale of Glamorgan Council; that does not assign responsibility.
PFD Monitor interpretation Failure to ensure drivers slow down when approaching the A48 ‘Forage roundabout junction’ from every direction
Wider context from the report “(1) The A48 ‘Forage roundabout junction’ seems to be dangerous.
(2) Unless changes are made to make all road users more aware of this junction and to slow down drivers approaching it from every direction , more deaths may occur.
” 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 Vale of Glamorgan Council; that does not assign responsibility.
PFD Monitor interpretation Lack of road-user awareness of the A48 ‘Forage roundabout junction’
Wider context from the report “(1) The A48 ‘Forage roundabout junction’ seems to be dangerous.
(2) Unless changes are made to make all road users more aware of this junction and to slow down drivers approaching it from every direction, more deaths may occur.
” 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 Publish a Traffic Regulation Order proposing reduced speed limits on the A48 Cowbridge bypass and approaches to the roundabout.
Verbatim wording from the response “Notwithstanding the information above, the Council recognises the need to consider appropriate ways to enhance road safety on its existing local highway network and, where possible, measures should be employed to best avoid any deaths or collisions involving serious personal injury. Therefore, subsequent to the fatality on the 29th September, the Council took steps to publish a Legal Order (TRO) with the intention of reducing the speed limit on the A48 Cowbridge bypass from National speed limit to 50mph, and the immediate approaches to the ‘Forage roundabout junction’ to 30mph. Whilst the Order has completed the appropriate legal process, the necessary new signage in accordance with TSRGD and Traffic Signs Manual is estimated to cost over £100k to implement the new speed restriction along the A48, and this work is therefore subject to identifying available budget.” Source location Response from the Vale of Glamorgan 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 Replace undersized chevron warning signs with enlarged signs featuring yellow borders.
Verbatim wording from the response “The Stage 3 RSA’s dated 10th January 2020 identified a number of minor issues in relation to surface water, carriageway surfacing, vehicle and pedestrian restraint barriers, drop kerb crossings and lack of signage associated with the shared cycleway / footway and drainage lagoon, which have subsequently been the subject of remedial works. The Stage 3 RSA also raised more specific concern in relation to the roundabout as identified below:” Source location Response from the Vale of Glamorgan 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 Relocate the obstructing warning sign to clear the lower half of the eastbound advanced directional sign.
Verbatim wording from the response “The Stage 4a RSA dated 31st August 2021, which involved a desk top study and a further daytime and night-time site visit, identified only two safety issues as recorded below:” Source location Response from the Vale of Glamorgan 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 Install 50mph speed-limit signs before removing temporary traffic management.
Verbatim wording from the response “The Stage 3 RSA’s dated 10th January 2020 identified a number of minor issues in relation to surface water, carriageway surfacing, vehicle and pedestrian restraint barriers, drop kerb crossings and lack of signage associated with the shared cycleway / footway and drainage lagoon, which have subsequently been the subject of remedial works. The Stage 3 RSA also raised more specific concern in relation to the roundabout as identified below:” Source location Response from the Vale of Glamorgan 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 Implementation of new speed-restriction signage is subject to identifying available budget because estimated costs exceed £100,000.
Verbatim wording from the response “Notwithstanding the information above, the Council recognises the need to consider appropriate ways to enhance road safety on its existing local highway network and, where possible, measures should be employed to best avoid any deaths or collisions involving serious personal injury. Therefore, subsequent to the fatality on the 29th September, the Council took steps to publish a Legal Order (TRO) with the intention of reducing the speed limit on the A48 Cowbridge bypass from National speed limit to 50mph, and the immediate approaches to the ‘Forage roundabout junction’ to 30mph. Whilst the Order has completed the appropriate legal process, the necessary new signage in accordance with TSRGD and Traffic Signs Manual is estimated to cost over £100k to implement the new speed restriction along the A48, and this work is therefore subject to identifying available budget.” Source location Response from the Vale of Glamorgan 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 Council disputes that the junction is dangerous or that deaths may occur without changes to reduce approach speeds.
Verbatim wording from the response “Therefore, given the evidence presented above, the Council would dispute that the ‘Forage roundabout junction’ is either dangerous, or unless changes are made to make users aware of the junction and to slow down drivers, more deaths may occur. Furthermore, the Council considers the advanced warning signage to be good and that the junction is safe for all traffic if drivers exercise responsible driving practices and take due care and attention of the provided signs and road markings, as well as comply with their legal obligations and follow the ‘General rules, techniques and advice for all drivers and riders’ (Rule 103 to 158) of the Highway Code.” Source location Response from the Vale of Glamorgan 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 Existing design, signage and road-safety audit measures are considered sufficient to make the junction safe for its intended purpose.
Verbatim wording from the response “Based on the above information, the Vale Council considers that a robust and appropriate process has been followed regarding the design and construction of the new A48 ‘Forage roundabout junction’, in accordance with all appropriate guidelines and legislation, and that the junction is safe for its intended purpose. Any initial road safety issues have been” Source location Response from the Vale of Glamorgan Council
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Information checked against published PFD reports and official responses · Data reviewed 7 Sep 2026 · About data quality and limitations