Kent Police recommend 50mph limit for Sheppey Crossing following death of mum Deborah Roberts and son Marshall

Published: 00:01, 12 June 2015

A police investigation launched following the deaths of a mother and her young son has called for the Sheppey crossing's speed limit to be slashed - as a coroner has warned of more deaths.

The report came to light at a preliminary hearing for the inquest of Deborah and Marshall Roberts.

The 42-year-old, of Granville Road, Sheerness, and her eight-year-old son were killed in a collision on the bridge on July 1 last year.

Deborah Roberts, who died in a crash on the Sheppey Crossing, along with her young son

The police report recommends the speed limit on the bridge is changed from its current 70mph to a 50mph.

"I clearly have concerns in relation to the Sheppey Crossing... there may be further deaths unless action is taken" - Coroner Patricia Harding

Coroner Patricia Harding decided to put back the full inquest until a later date, in either July or August, in light of the fact the family are seeking legal representation.

She ruled that the scope of the later inquest will include the cause of death of both Deborah and Marshall Roberts and the events leading up to the collision.

It was also decided matters to be taken into consideration will include the design of the bridge, the speed limit, the visibility as drivers are heading off the Island and braking distance.

A lawyer on behalf of Highways England said speed and driver behaviour should also be taken into account.

Mrs Harding also said she will look at whether there is potential for further deaths.

She said: “I have no power to make recommendations. What I can do is require the appropriate authority to take appropriate action.

“It’s not for me to say what should or shouldn’t be done.

"I clearly have concerns in relation to the Sheppey Crossing, not least because of the visibility as one goes over the crossing, safe stopping distances, speed limit and that there may be further deaths unless action is taken.

“What action is taken is a matter for Highways England and not for me.”

Cars on the approach to the Sheppey Crossing following the crash. Picture: Barry Hollis

She added a “significant number” of witnesses have provided statements.

Other evidence that will be considered includes video from the front of the van which was involved in the crash, stills from automatic number plate recognition cameras and the transcript of an interview with Marshall’s brother, Archer, who was also in the car at the time and survived despite suffering injuries.

The coroner said it would be “wholly inappropriate” to bring the child, now aged seven, into the court.

Witnesses that will be called to the inquest include the van driver, Adam Chattaway from Essex, who was involved in the crash.

He was initially arrested but had his bail cancelled in January.

Investigating officer PC Terry Collins and one or two other policemen will also be called to speak as well as the drivers immediately in front and behind the accident.

Christina Griffiths, who is stepmother to Marshall’s two brothers, said: “We need this for the safety of the people that are using the bridge and to prevent any other families going through what we are still dealing with.