‘Confusing’ signage at junction where police officer was killed is ‘putting pedestrians at risk’

'Confusing' signage at a busy junction where a police officer was killed on his way to work is 'putting pedestrians at risk', a coroner has warned. Sergeant Paul Frear died in hospital after colliding with a car as he crossed the A457 Tollhouse Way, in Smethwick^[1].

The married dad-of-two was walking to work in the morning when the deadly smash took place on September 21 last year. The 45-year-old worked for West Midlands Police^[2] for 21 years and covered the Wolverhampton local policing area.

Black Country Coroner Joanne Lees has now raised concerns that more deaths could follow if improvements are not made to the area. She said the junction remains a 'safety issue' for pedestrians and action 'should be taken'.

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An inquest in January concluded that Sgt Frear died of multiple injuries sustained in a road traffic collision, a prevention of future deaths report said. The crash took place in the northbound carriageway, near a set of traffic lights at the A457's junction with the B4135 Rolfe Street - close to Smethwick Rolfe Street station,

Footage from CCTV captured Sgt Frear waiting at the crossing area, where the A457 splits into three marked lanes - lanes one and two for vehicles continuing straight and lane three for those turning right into Rolfe Street. Evidence presented to the inquest from the force's serious collision investigation unit described how traffic in lane three - immediately next to Sgt Frear - had come to a stop due to a red filter traffic light directly above him.

But traffic in the other two lanes was still moving, as directed by a green light. Sgt Frear walked into lane two when the pedestrian lights next to him were red and was then struck by the car.

The officer was rushed to Queen Elizabeth Hospital^[5] Birmingham but died the following day. In her report, Ms Lees said: "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." She added: "It is accepted that Mr Frear may have been distracted by using his mobile phone and/or influenced by pedestrians crossing from the opposite direction."

But she went on to say she was concerned it was 'not obvious' to pedestrians that they should not be looking just to their left when crossing. Ms Lees added: "My concern is that the design of this junction means that it is not obvious to a pedestrian that the only place to look for left for indications as to whether it is safe to cross the road is to their left.

"There are no such indicators on the opposite side of the carriageway which is ordinarily where a pedestrian would be looking. The signals were situated immediately to the left of where Mr Frear was stood/where any pedestrian would be standing."

There have also been two 'previous incidents' at the same location before the current road layout was implemented, the coroner said. Sandwell Council completed safety reviews during the design, implementation and post-installation of the junction, she added.

Ms Lees said: "Whilst the current road layout may be legal, the death of Sgt Frear highlights the safety issue for pedestrians present at this junction crossing from both sides and highlights that the signage for pedestrians is not clear enough and there is a risk of further deaths now and in the future." A collision investigator, who visited the scene, said in a police report that they found the layout 'very confusing'.

It read: "I do find the layout very confusing - with the right turn filter lane (lane three) not being separated from the main carriageway, a pedestrian is faced with stationary traffic. If a pedestrian chose to look up to their right they would be presented with a red traffic light and the only indication that it is still not safe to cross is the pedestrian controls to their immediate left.

"The green light for lanes one and two is not visible to pedestrians and there is no pedestrian light indication on the opposite side." The coroner's report has since been sent to Sandwell^[6] Council and National Highways, who need to respond to the coroner by April 1.

A Sandwell Council spokesperson said: "The council extends its sympathy to the family and friends of Sgt Frear. The coroner’s report has been received and a response will be provided within the timescale."

Sgt Frear won a Chief Constable's Award in 2017 for providing emergency first aid at the scene of a double stabbing outside Planet nightclub, in Wolverhampton. Both victims survived due to the 'popular' officer's help.

Before his death, Sgt Frear had spent the past five years on the Low Hill, Bushbury and Fallings Park neighbourhood teams.

References

1. ^{^} Smethwick (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
2. ^{^} West Midlands Police (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
3. ^{^} First picture of drug-driving dad who took police on 100mph chase as 'crying' son sat in BMW (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
4. ^{^} BirminghamLive WhatsApp (chat.whatsapp.com)
5. ^{^} Queen Elizabeth Hospital (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
6. ^{^} Sandwell (www.birminghammail.co.uk)