Prevention of further deaths report published by coroner following the death of cyclist Daniel Waite from Bearsted
Published: 13:30, 14 January 2021
Updated: 13:47, 14 January 2021
A report asking two companies to consider making road safety changes after the death of a cyclist on a dual carriageway has been published by a coroner.
Daniel Waite, a father-of-two from Bearsted, died after a collision on the A20 Ashford Road near Hollingbourne just before 8pm on July 3, 2019.
An inquest at County Hall in Maidstone heard Mr Waite, an experienced cyclist, was riding along the Maidstone-bound carriageway near the junction with Leeds when he collided with a parked Scania Tipper truck, suffering fatal injuries.
The truck was one of eight operated by the company Tarmac that had been instructed to park along the stretch while waiting to be deployed to overnight works on the M20.
Following the hearing, the coroner, Bina Patel wrote to Tarmac and the Highways Department at Kent County Council (KCC), which is responsible for the road, asking them to consider making changes to prevent further tragedies.
In the report published last month, Miss Patel wrote: "During the course of the inquest the evidence revealed matters giving rise to concern.
"In my opinion there is a risk that future deaths could occur unless action is taken. In the circumstances it is my statutory duty to report to you."
She added: "There is not at present any restriction to parking or a requirement for signage on this section of the road such as a clearway and this is of particular concern."
A clearway is a stretch of road where it is illegal to stop for any reason except in an emergency.
Miss Patel added the use of cones or signs could have alerted other road users to the presence of the tippers.
Both KCC and Tarmac were given until January 11 to respond with details of proposed action following the tragedy.
It is not yet known if they met the deadline but if no response was given they must explain why they feel no action is needed.
Both were approached for comment.
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Liane Castle