Joanne Constable

I am Caroline Jones, Assistant Coroner for the coroner area of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.

On 10 August 2020 I commenced an investigation into the death of Joanne Comstable aged 52 years. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 30 October 2020. The conclusion of the inquest was that: Joanne died from multiple unsurvivable injuries sustained in a road traffic collision on the A141 Isle of Ely Way in Cambridgeshire when the motorcycle on which she was a passenger was in collision with a tractor whose view of the road was obscured by overhanging trees and vegetation.

On 2 August 2020, Joanne Constable was the passenger on a motorbike which collided with a trailer being pulled by a tractor as it turned right out of a field onto the A141 Isle of Ely Way near Wimblington, Cambridgeshire. Due to vegetation growth of trees and bushes on the verge of the public highway, the tractor driver’s line of sight was obstructed, making it impossible to assess whether there was adequate time and distance to safely exit the junction. Consequently, the motorbike’s path was blocked by the trailer and the rider could not take evasive action in time to avoid the collision. Mrs Constable was thrown from the motorbike in the collision, sustaining multiple injuries and she was pronounced deceased at 1150 hours.

During the course of the investigation my inquiries 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. The MATTERS OF CONCERN are as follows: In the course of evidence from the local authority’s highway maintenance manager, I heard concerning testimony as to the apparent lack of systems and processes in place to record complaints or reports of hazards or defects with the highway. Consequently, there seemed to be no way of identifying which reports had been actioned or inspected and even when the system indicated that an inspection had taken place and led to a recommendation for work to be carried out within a statutory timeframe, there was no information available on the system to show if or when any work was carried out, much less to what specification. On the evidence I heard, the circumstances prevailing at the entrance to Bypass Field onto the A141 Isle of Ely Way are replicated at many points across the county and therefore, should those with a statutory responsibility to maintain the highways, including verges, at public cost be unaware of the status of reported hazards or defects, there is a clear risk of future deaths occurring due to those with the responsibility not taking steps to remedy the problem and more fatal road traffic collisions occurring.

In my opinion action should be taken to prevent future deaths and I believe you (and/or your organisation) have the power to take such action.