Firm fined over motorbike crash

A construction company has been fined £250,000 for a health and safety breach that caused a motorcyclist's death.

Douglas Young crashed into temporary concrete crash barriers on the former A228 old Ratcliffe Highway on the Isle of Grain, Kent, on 29 August 2005.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) said warning signs had been removed.

Alfred McAlpine Capital Projects Ltd, which had already pleaded guilty to breaching health and safety laws, was fined at Maidstone Crown Court.

A HSE investigation into the crash revealed temporary concrete crash barriers, each weighing more than two tonnes, had been laid in a line across the road.

'Wholly avoidable incident'

HSE inspector John Underwood said: "This was a wholly avoidable incident which led to unnecessary loss of life."

The barriers were 45cm (17in) high and could have been mistaken for a change in tarmac colour from a distance, Mr Underwood said.

The road was being downgraded following the opening of a new dual carriageway built by Alfred McAlpine Capital Projects Ltd.

A series of "road closed ahead" signs and traffic cones disappeared eight weeks before the accident, although contractors were working at the site almost every day, Mr Underwood added.

Our prime concern remains the health, safety and well-being of all our employees, sub-contractors and everyone affected by our activities Carillion spokesperson

"The temporary traffic management system should have been checked at least once a day but this was never done properly," he said.

"It is clear the motorcyclist braked hard and tried to avoid the barriers but could not stop in time."

In the last five years 12 people have died in incidents relating to road work construction, Mr Underwood added.

Alfred McAlpine, which was bought by the Carillion group in February, was also ordered to pay £5,859 in costs.

A Carillion spokesperson said: "Our prime concern remains the health, safety and well-being of all our employees, sub-contractors and everyone affected by our activities and our deepest sympathy is extended to the family and friends of Douglas Young.

"We recognise that first class health and safety standards are fundamental to our business and remain committed to reinforcing an absolute focus on these."