Fears of more deaths at 'high harm' M6 junction
GoogleA coroner has raised concerns over a "high harm" motorway junction following the death of two women in a crash between a bus and car.
Robert Cohen, assistant coroner for Cumbria, has written to National Highways over the design of Junction 37 of the M6, between Kendal and Sedbergh, after the deaths of Rita Thomas and Christine Dale.
The pair were travelling in the same car northbound up the exit ramp when their vehicle crashed with a bus driving along the A684 on 1 October 2024.
National Highways said they would review the coroner's report and respond by the deadline of 11 April.
Following a joint inquest earlier this month, in which he concluded both women died from "multiple traumatic injuries", Cohen wrote a prevention of future deaths report - a document used by coroners to highlight potentially avoidable deaths.
'No time to react'
The report said the exit ramps at junction 37 were "recognised to be high harm spots".
Cohen said "several very serious collisions" had occurred at the same location and "significant efforts" to address the issue had included placing stop signs and increasing high visibility signage.
However, he was concerned the national speed limit on the A684 might be too high which, coupled with the junction's design, could give drivers "insufficient time to react" if a vehicle crossed their path.
Cohen said evidence heard at the inquest showed the bus had been driving below the national speed limit.
He added the bus driver had told the inquest he first saw the car when the bus was "only a few metres away from the top of the slip road" and he did "not have time to react".
A spokesperson for National Highways said they would respond to the coroner's concerns in due course.
They added: "Our deepest sympathies remain with the loved ones of Rita Thomas and Christine Dale."