Investigation and inquest
On 28th May 2015 I commenced an investigation into the death of Sheila Slater, Age 81. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 30th March 2016. The conclusion of the inquest was Road Traffic Collision
Circumstances of the death
Sheila Slater was the front seat passenger in a car driven by her husband. They were driving north along the A16 near Crowland. On reaching the staggered junction with the B1166, he manoeuvred into the Central reservation with the intention of turning right into The B1166 and continued into the path of an oncoming South bound vehicle travelling on the A16. Mrs Slater died at the scene of the subsequent collision.
Coroner’s concerns
1 The staggered junction of the A16 with the B1166 is part of the Crowland Bypass which was opened in 2010. As with all of the other staggered junctions in Lincolnshire it was built to DFT specifications. Since it was opened there have been 3 fatalities associated with this junction (2 at the junction and one on the approach to the south bound island) and 10 injury producing collisions. There have been fatalities at the other staggered junctions in Lincolnshire. DFT and Highways England have been made aware of the problems associated with these junctions both by S.28 reports and correspondence from officers of Lincolnshire County Council. At the inquest, into Mrs Slater's death evidence was given to the effect that this particular junction could be made safer if it were to be replaced by a roundabout but that local funding was not available for this purpose. Witnesses also were concerned about the safety record of other staggered junctions in Lincolnshire.