Council receives court summons over busway deaths

Three people have died in separate busway incidents in Cambridgeshire between 2015 and 2021, with a fourth suffering life-changing injuries

A council has been served a court summons over the deaths of three people in separate incidents on a guided busway.

Cambridgeshire County Council has been served the prosecution summons after the deaths of Jennifer Taylor, Steve Moir and Kathleen Pitts on the Cambridgeshire Guided Busway between 2015 and 2021.

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

The council said regular safety enhancements had been made to the busway.

'Sincerest condolences'

A council spokesperson said: "The HSE, following their investigation, informed us of their intention to start legal proceedings in May 2023.

“We continue to extend our sincerest condolences to the families and friends of Jennifer Taylor, Steven Moir and Kathleen Pitts.

“Safety on the busway is and remains a priority for the county council and the operators that use the busway."

Fencing has been built along the busway in Cambridgeshire to improve safety

The spokesperson added: "Since its opening in 2011, the Guided Busway has seen 33 million passenger journeys; the number of bus services has more than doubled, and during that time the council has worked with experts and made regular safety enhancements."

The council added that it would consider the evidence presented against it, the offences listed in the summonses and prepare for the first hearing date.