Council says it is 'sorry' after busway deaths

Kathleen Pitts, Steve Moir and Jennifer Taylor all died in collisions with buses

A council has apologised for "serious" failings after the deaths of three people on a guided busway.

Jennifer Taylor, Steve Moir and Kathleen Pitts all died in collisions with buses on Cambridgeshire's busway between 2015 and 2021.

Cambridgeshire County Council has said it intends to plead guilty to two offences after the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) began legal proceedings to prosecute the authority.

The council said it "continues to extend its deepest condolences to the families and friends directly affected by these tragic events".

In 2023, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) announced it would prosecute the county council after an investigation

Jennifer Taylor, 81, died after she was hit by a bus when she crossed the busway on foot at Fen Drayton in November 2015.

Cyclist Steve Moir, 50, fell into the path of an oncoming bus when he clipped the kerb separating him from the busway in Cambridge in September 2018.

Pedestrian Kathleen Pitts, 52, died after being hit by a bus on the same stretch in October 2021.

A fourth person, a teenage cyclist, was also seriously injured in the guided section of the busway, parallel to King's Hedges Road, in November 2021.

The council’s chief executive, Stephen Moir, said the council was “truly sorry”.

He said the authority “fell far short” of meeting health and safety at work standards.

“With that clear understanding and acceptance, we are therefore taking an important and responsible decision today to plead guilty to the two offences which the HSE are prosecuting the council for,” he said.

“In doing so, we fully acknowledge the serious historic failings on the part of the county council, which we are now addressing.”

In 2023, the HSE announced it would prosecute the county council after an investigation.

Since then some safety measures, including fencing, have been added.

Legal proceedings began in May 2024, which could see the council face legal costs of £1.6m.

The council faces two charges under section three of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.

They relate to the risks and incidents involving the public being struck by a bus when crossing the busway at designated place, and being struck by a passing bus.

The council said it had, and would continue to ensure, that lessons were learned from the "failures".

It said current and future management of the busway was regularly reviewed and updated.