Investigation and inquest
The inquest into the death of Martin Leslie Brown was concluded on 21st February 2013. I returned a narrative verdict that he died of multiple injuries when he skidded on relayed road surface that was excessively slippery due to excess bitumen. This was in part due to a failure to carry out the resurfacing work correctly and a failure to recognise the fault before the road was reopened.
Circumstances of the death
This section does not appear in the published report.
Coroner’s concerns
(1) There may be a possible dispute as to the interpretation of BBA certificate number 06/H120 issued in respect of Milepave.
(2) In para 3.1 of the certificate it suggests that the product can be used on roads with a posted speed limit of less than 40mph. The same paragraph refers to use on “rural roads” that may, of course, be subject to the national speed limit of 60 mph.
(3) The certificate does not specify that the product should not be used on roads where the posted speed limit is greater than 40 mph.
(4) My concern is that the correct use of the product Milepave is not clearly set out in the certificate and it may be used inappropriately because of the wording used in the certificate.