Agenda item

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The following statement was submitted to the Committee, and read out by Christopher Dunn:

 

Lucjan Stefan Wilk, 91 a Killinghalll resident  died 7th November 2023 as a result of a 'fatal' road accident on 6th November 2023  80m South of Killinghall border ,A61 north bound carriageway, adjacent a bus stop and Knox Mill Lane, also 'Ringway' path.

 

The location of the accident was in the New Park division of NYC and now also New Park ward of Harrogate town council.

 

The inquest 24 03 2025 found no fault with any party.

 

Killinghall council, and NYC local division councillors Slater and Harrison were not consulted nor were the Harrogate local Policing unit, nor any road/PROW user groups!

 

Seven new road lights, two massive road signs, a bus stop extinguished and a new bus stop were created. NYC  contractors within metres of and within 'eyeshot'and 'earshot' of the bereaved , moved the so called 'offending' bus stop on the day of the inquest 24 03 25!

 

One new road light even now illuminates the bus stop which is no longer there!"

 

"Why does it take the sacrifice/death on an innocent pedestrian pensioner in order for NYC to 'magic up' many £thousands of questionable civil works whereas this 'lethal' road junction is still as unsafe as it always has been"

 

The following response was read out from Allan McVeigh (Head of Network Strategy):

 

All fatal road traffic collisions that occur on the local road network in North Yorkshire are the subject of a fatal collision inspection (FCI), the purpose of which is to understand the collision causation and identify whether improvements to the road or surrounding infrastructure can be made.  This is either to reduce the risk of a future similar collision occurring (i.e. to address what is referred to as ‘a contributory factor’), or to correct any minor defects observed during the inspection, but which were otherwise unconnected to the collision being investigated (non-contributory factors). 

 

Following the untimely death of Mr Wilk, an FCI was carried out on Monday 13 November 2023, in conjunction with North Yorkshire Police.  The Police are involved directly in all fatal collision investigations that are carried out by North Yorkshire Council.  An FCI report was published in April 2024, which made four recommendations:

 

1.            Relocate the northbound bus stop with road markings, signage, footway link and an informal crossing facility (contributory)

 

2.            Carry out a consultation exercise on the removal of the southbound bus stop facility (contributory)

 

3.            Investigate the feasibility of introducing street lighting in the vicinity of Knox Mill Lane junction and the new northbound bus stop. If feasible and financially viable, implement street lighting columns as soon as possible (contributory)

 

4.            Introduce improved permanent signage (larger warning sign or map type advance direction sign) to highlight the Knox Mill Lane junction (non-contributory)

 

Officers carried out the feasibility, design and consultation on these proposals from April 2024 onwards. Engagement took place with: 

 

1.            The family of Mr Wilk and residents of Knox Mill Lane – a local site meeting took place, including with the Environment Corporate Director on 02 April 2024 and the family and residents were emailed the FCI recommendations on 07 May 2024, in order to seek their input and views on the proposals. There was also another site discussion with a local Knox Mill Lane resident later in the year and conversations over the phone, to confirm the improvement proposals. No objections to the recommendations were received

 

2.            Cllr Monika Slater – emailed 30 July 2024, who responded later the same day, in support

 

3.            Cllr Michael Harrison – discussion over the phone shortly after the fatal collision inspection

 

4.            Transdev (Bus Operator) – confirmation of no objections on 12 August 2024

 

5.            North Yorkshire Police – the Police Traffic Management Officer who was part of the FCI team was also kept informed throughout the design process

 

6.            Local landowners – to seek permission for the signage in private land

 

There was no contact with Killinghall Parish Council as the officer responsible for ordering these works, acting in good faith, believed the whole extent was in the Bilton Ward for which Cllr Monika Slater is the local member, and with whom we had engaged.  As the parish boundary runs through the middle of Knox Mill Lane, not contacting Killinghall PC was an error.  When I was made aware of the mistake, I sent a personal apology to the Clerk of Killinghall Parish Council, via our public transport team, offering to discuss the matter further if he wished.  In addition to officers engaging with the family on the proposed recommendations, I also attended the inquest into the death of Mr Wilk and explained to the Coroner and family when the work to move the bus stop was being carried out. 

 

Street Lighting has been introduced to the south and north of the Knox Mill Lane, to illuminate Knox Mill Lane junction, not a previous bus stop and the advanced sign on the northbound approach was introduced to further highlight the presence of the junction and reduce the risk of shunt type collisions.  In addition, prior to the fatal collision, the pre-existing vehicle activated signs (VAS) were also replaced, northbound and southbound, with improved VAS, to further highlight the presence of Knox Mill Lane junction.  There are additional columns to the north to illuminate the new northbound bus stop location.