Legal News

Highways England is highlighting the dangers faced by road workers, after a worker mending potholes was struck by a car A50 near Stoke-on-Trent in April 2016.

Les Bramwell, 65, was left with serious injuries, but says it was “a miracle” that he was not killed in the incident. Nearly a year after he sustained multiple injuries, Mr Bramwell has only just had a neck brace removed and is only now able to drive again.

The case was highlighted as it was revealed 12 road workers – including two traffic officers – have lost their lives on the network over the last ten years. In three of the cases, the victims were knocked down by members of the public.

Over the last ten years, workers have also been injured by motorists on more than 50 occasions – 17 of those incidents involved workers on foot.

Since May 2016, there have also been around 150 recorded incidents each month, involving vehicles encroaching on sites where work is taking place.

Mr Bramwell has joined Highways England in urging drivers to take extra care around roadworks and observe speed limits:

“I want to highlight to people the dangers of our job

“Something that should have been a routine task has had a serious impact on my life – and that’s why it’s so important that we educate motorists about the dangers of the work we do day in, day out.”

Highways England Midlands Regional Director Catherine Brookes added:

“Nobody needs a road so badly that somebody needs to lose their life while maintaining or improving it – it is my absolute priority that people go home safely at the end of every day.

“It is simply unacceptable that people run the risk of being killed or seriously injured while doing their job.

“While we can’t eliminate risk on the road network, we need to do our utmost to protect the lives of both drivers and road workers – and motorists need to slow down near road works and obey speed limits and signs.

“Think what it would be like if you had to contend with lorries and cars driving through your shop, office or school.”

Mr Bramwell was working for Highways England contractor Kier as an Asset Incident Watchman and had been assessing repair work as part of his day-to-day duties.

As he returned to his van parked at a nearby petrol station, a car left the dual carriageway, mounted the pavement and ploughed into him from behind.
CCTV footage shows the car travelling behind an HGV, which slows down as a car in front turns into the petrol station.

At that point, the vehicle behind the lorry can be seen mounting the pavement and hitting Mr Bramwell – he was taken to hospital with a broken neck and a leg broken in three places.

Mr Bramwell said:

“I had to sleep downstairs for six months because I couldn’t go upstairs, It’s been a massive strain on my family and I’ve had my confidence taken away – everything has been turned upside down.

“Although my injuries mean I will spend at least a year in recovery, I could have been paralysed – or worse, lost my life.”

Highways England has adopted a health and safety five-year plan – and procedures for its workforce are constantly under review.

Duncan Lewis Personal Injury Solicitors

Duncan Lewis is a leading firm of personal injury solicitors and can advise road workers injured during the course of their job as a result of negligence on how to make a no win no fee claim for compensation.

Personal injury claims have to be made within three years of injury or diagnosis of injury.

Duncan Lewis also offers supportive legal advice to bereaved families whose loved one has lost their life as a result of negligence while carrying out their duties as a road worker and who wish to claim compensation.

For expert legal advice on no win no fee Road Worker Personal Injury Claims, call Duncan Lewis personal injury solicitors on 0333 772 0409.