Council fined in bin lorry probe

Amy Robinson was struck as she made her way to school

A council has been fined £125,000 and will pay costs after an investigation prompted by the death of an 11-year-old girl killed by a bin lorry.

Amy Robinson, from Stoke, Coventry, died after being struck by the lorry on her way to school in April 2006.

Coventry City Council earlier admitted breaches of the Health and Safety Act in a prosecution brought by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

Police secretly filmed other lorries reversing at speed six months later.

The council was also urged to pay £40,000 in costs.

Secret watch

At a hearing in October, the council admitted failing to operate a safe system of work including inadequate supervision, information and instruction for the refuse collection service.

It also admitted failing to ensure suitable risk assessments for refuse employees.

At the sentencing hearing at Coventry Crown Court, the court heard how police officers had been keeping secret watch on bin crews.

It was those films which led to the prosecution.

The court heard how officers began investigating after receiving complaints from the public over the manner in which bin lorries were driven.

The recording showed the council's bin lorries reversing over long distances around blind bends at considerable speeds and in one case, mounting the pavement.

I had to get her justice and that is what happened today Catherine Robinson, mother

The court also heard of what was described as a "wake-up call" for the council three months before Miss Robinson's death when 15-year-old Nicola Cousins was also run over by a reversing bin lorry.

She escaped with minor injuries but the court heard how the council failed to take any significant action after the incident.

Miss Robinson's mother Catherine said in a statement outside court: "We're devastated by what has happened.

"My job as a mother did not stop when Amy was killed. I had to get her justice and that is what happened today."

Coventry City Council said it would pay the fine within 28 days.

Chief executive Stella Manzie said lessons had been learnt from Miss Robinson's death.

'Tragic history'

Ms Manzie said: "We have undertaken a review of risk assessments, driving-related policies and procedures and our training.

"We have made a number of changes including improvements to equipment to try to ensure greater safety and reduce the risk of this kind of accident.

"I am confident that the importance of constant vigilance is being reinforced on a day-to-day basis."

Paul Smith, the investigating inspector for the Health and Safety Executive said: "There is a tragic history of pedestrians, particularly children and old people, being run over by refuse collection vehicles.

"These incidents must act as a stimulus for the industry to review its procedures, making sure that vehicle risks are properly controlled."