At about 11.40pm on May 3, 2023 John Liddle, 44, was cycling south on the A694 Lockhaugh Road in Rowlands Gill with his bike lights and a yellow hi-vis jacket on when he was hit by a Mercedes minibus.
As he moved into the road to turn onto Sherburn Park Drive the overtaking Merc hit him and he suffered survivable head injuries.
He died almost three weeks later on May 21 at the RVI in Newcastle.
An inquest into his death held on Friday (January 10) at Newcastle Coroners’ Court heard he died of a blunt head injury.
Senior Coroner Georgina Nolan has now slammed what she branded an “unsafe” 40mph speed limit on the A694, saying she believes “there is a risk that future deaths could occur unless action is taken”.
Filing a prevention of future deaths report Miss Nolan outlined a series of concerns to Gateshead Council.
She wrote: “At the time of the collision the area of the A694 upon which Mr Liddle was cycling was subject to a 40 miles per hour speed limit. The speed limit on this area of road has now (temporarily) been reduced to 30 miles per hour.
“The road is within a residential area, the road encompasses bends and junctions, and there have been a number of other collisions along the stretch of road involving pedal cycles, pedestrians and motor vehicles.
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“A 40 miles per hour speed limit is unsafe for this stretch of road.
“In my opinion action should be taken to prevent future deaths and I believe you and/or your organisation have the power to take such action.”
Gateshead Council will now have 56 days to respond to the Coroner explaining what action it will take.