Cambridgeshire County Council’s mismanagement of the guided busway resulted in a £6m fine over three fatalities and safety failures

Cambridgeshire County Council has been handed a £6 million fine following the deaths of three people between 2015 and 2021 on its guided busway. The council admitted to serious safety breaches after the deaths of Jennifer Taylor, 81, Steven Moir, 50, and Kathleen Pitts, 52. The incidents, which occurred over several years, were linked to the council’s poor management of the busway’s safety protocols.

The council was prosecuted under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 after investigations revealed “entrenched mismanagement” of safety on the busway, a 16-mile route used by modified buses travelling at speeds of up to 56mph. The fatal incidents occurred when pedestrians were struck while attempting to cross the busway at designated crossings.

Judge Mark Bishop, who delivered the ruling at Cambridge Crown Court, described the council’s approach as “rigid and blinkered” and noted that the operating speed of the buses was too high for a semi-urban environment. He pointed out that when the busway opened in 2011, the speed limit was set without adequate consideration for pedestrian safety.

Following the sentencing, the council’s Chief Executive, Dr. Stephen Moir, offered a full apology to the victims’ families, acknowledging the failings in safety management. The council has since introduced measures to address these issues, including more frequent inspections, risk assessments, and a dedicated safety team. The council also plans to develop national busway guidance to prevent future accidents.

For the families affected, the ruling offers some sense of closure but little comfort. Rob Moir, brother of Steven Moir, one of the victims, expressed that the fine would ultimately be paid by taxpayers. He hoped the outcome would compel other councils to prioritise safety.

Graham Tompkins from the Health and Safety Executive expressed regret that the tragedy of Mrs. Taylor’s death had not prompted earlier action. He commended the families for their courage throughout the case, hoping the outcome would help them find closure.