David Langford: Prevention of future deaths report
Road (Highways Safety) related deathsWales prevention of future deaths reports (2019 onwards)
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Date of report: 11/12/2025
Ref: 2025-0621
Deceased name: David Langford
Coroner name: Kate Robertson
Coroner Area: North Wales (East and Central)
Category: Conwy County Borough Council
This report is being sent to: Road (Highways Safety) related deaths | Wales prevention of future deaths reports (2019 onwards)
| REGULATION 28 REPORT TO PREVENT FUTURE DEATHS | |
|---|---|
 THIS REPORT IS BEING SENT TO: Chief Executive, Conwy County Borough Council | |
| 1 | CORONER I am Kate Robertson, Assistant Coroner for North Wales (East and Central) |
| 2 | CORONER’S LEGAL POWERS I make this report under paragraph 7, Schedule 5, of the Coroners and Justice Act 2009 and regulations 28 and 29 of the Coroners (Investigations) Regulations 2013. |
| 3 | INVESTIGATION and INQUEST On 16 May 2024 an investigation was commenced into the death of David Paul Langford (DOB: 31 January 1994) who died on 11 May 2024. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 8 December 2025. The conclusion of the inquest was Road Traffic Collision. |
| 4 | CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE DEATH The circumstances of the death are as follows : David Paul Langford was riding his KTM motorcycle along the A548 approximately 1.2 miles north of Llangernyw and approximately 4 miles south-west of Llanfair Talhaiarn, Conwy, when a collision occurred with a motor vehicle emerging from the Waterloo Hill junction which had poor visibility. David Langford was declared deceased at the scene. |
| 5 | CORONER’S CONCERNS During the course of the inquest, the evidence revealed matters giving rise to concern. In my opinion there is a risk that future deaths will occur unless action is taken. In the circumstances it is my statutory duty to report to you. The MATTERS OF CONCERN are as follows The topography at the collision scene location was considered significant. A visibility mirror was present opposite the Waterloo Hill Junction and was, and in fact still is, positioned as such to provide traffic exiting the junction a view of traffic approaching on the A548 and from the Llangernyw direction. Visibility is reduced for motorists exiting the junction to the right and those approaching from the direction of Llangernyw on the A548 by the following:- The overgrown tree foliage and hedgerow running alongside the nearside of the Llanfair Talhaiarn bound lane of the A548 just prior to the area of the collision; and The dull nature of the visibility’s mirror’s reflective surface which hindered the view provided, along with overgrown foliage around the mirror which obscured the view along a section of the Llanfair Talhaiarn bound lane The left hand bend for those approaching the junction on the A548 from the Llangernyw direction Witness evidence indicated that ‘…it is exceptionally dangerous’. The location has excess shrubbery that limits visibility towards the junction from Abergele direction. This is coupled with a directional mirror to assist turning onto the A548, but again, this has excess foliage’. The witness went on to say ‘I have contacted the local council to see what can be done to promote safety at this junction’. It was noted by evidence from North Wales Police that the mirror had been replaced and the excess shrubbery and overgrowth maintained around the mirror and around the junction. Whilst these improvements are noted there remain two concerns The railings to the right of the junction are old and rusty and their position provides a barrier from view down the road. It was noted that Conwy County Borough Council had noted this and no action has yet been taken; and It was noted that the stretch of road in question is subject to a national speed limit and it is a concern that this high Speed does not account for the dangerous junction at Wterloo Hill. I am concerned that deaths will occur into the future and/or continue to occur as a result of these concerns. |
| 6 | ACTION SHOULD BE TAKEN In my opinion action should be taken to prevent future deaths and I believe you have the power to take such action. |
| 7 | YOUR RESPONSE You are under a duty to respond to this report within 56 days of the date of this report, namely 5 February 2026. I, Kate Robertson, the Coroner, may extend the period. Your response must contain details of action taken or proposed to be taken, setting out the timetable for action. Otherwise, you must explain why no action is proposed. |
| 8 | COPIES and PUBLICATION I have sent a copy of my report to the Family of the Deceased and to the Chief Coroner. I am also under a duty to send the Chief Coroner a copy of your response. The Chief Coroner may publish either or both in a complete or redacted or summary form. She may send a copy of this report to any person who she believes may find it useful or of interest. You may make representations to me, the Coroner, at the time of your response, about the release or the publication of your response by the Chief Coroner. |
| 9 | Dated 11 December 2025 [REDACTED] Assistant Coroner for North Wales (East and Central) |