Ford where driver died could reopen after review

Barry Howard, 75, died when his car was swept 30m (100ft) down the River Tas

A village ford that has been closed since a motorist was swept to his death could reopen next spring pending the results of a safety review.

Barry Howard, 75, died when his car was washed 30m (100ft) down the River Tas in Norfolk in December.

An inquest into his death highlighted safety concerns that a road sign at Shotesham ford was left face down by the roadside near Newton Flotman.

The crossing has remained shut "indefinitely" ever since, but Norfolk County Council is investigating if the road could be reopened safely.

Mr Howard was heading home from a Norwich City football match on the evening of 13 December when he tried to drive through the ford when the river was swollen and fast flowing.

His body was recovered the following morning after his Toyota Yaris was discovered.

At his inquest, the council said it did not know how the sign at Shotesham Ford ended up on the verge of Mill Lane.

Due to this, no road signs warning of the ford "would have been visible" until Mr Howard was already surrounded by water, which was 0.8m deep, the coroner heard.

They also heard police had been called to nine previous incidents involving trapped vehicles at the ford.

On the night of the incident the water on Mill Lane was 0.8m deep according to the gauge in its centre

The route along Mill Lane links the village to the A140 and has been shut off with concrete blocks after drivers ignored warning signs and continued to use it.

Some locals have called for the crossing - which curves gradually and has a steep drop on one side – to be permanently closed amid fears there could be more fatalities.

However, Shotesham Parish Council has urged County Hall to bring it back into use.

Heather Jackson, parish chairwoman, said it was "strongly of the opinion that this is a useful road if used sensibly".

"We will be engaged in talks with Norfolk County Council about where they are going, move forward from here," she added.

Concrete barriers have been installed at the ford following the incident

Graham Plant, county council cabinet member for highways, said "safety is paramount when it comes to our highways network".

"Although we recognise the inconvenience longer trips can create when we close locations such as Shotesham ford, that cannot outweigh the importance of people’s safety and wellbeing," he said.

"Where closures are in place we are working hard to find longer term solutions."

Council officials said the road would remain closed until at least the spring and would only reopen if public safety could be ensured following the study.