Warning that more cyclists will be killed on death trap road unless action taken
The alarm has been raised over a stretch of road in south Wales after a dad-of-three was killed while cycling.
Donald Mitchell, 61, died after suffering catastrophic head injuries when a driver crashed into him on the A48 in Laleston near Bridgend.
The librarian was cycling home from his work at a Christian university on December 17, 2020, when the driver of a blue Volvo S40 travelling in the same direction struck him.
Mr Mitchell, described as an ‘avid cyclist’ by his family, was due to retire the following year.
Now the coroner for South Wales Central, Patricia Morgan, has said that ‘future deaths will occur unless action is taken’ on the road that has claimed several lives.
The stretch of road between Pyle and Ewenny on the A48 has seen four fatal crashes and eight serious collisions between 2015 and 2024. Cyclists were involved in five of them, the coroner said.
The coroner concluded an investigation into Mr Mitchell’s death last week after a four-year investigation.
She said that the nature of the road, the speed limit, previous crashes and the ‘absence of an active travel route or modifications’ for cyclists mean she remains ‘concerned that the there is a risk of future deaths occurring along this route unless action is taken.’
Coroner Morgan asked the Bridgend County Borough Council and the Welsh government to respond to her concerns.
The council told BBC News it would respond to the investigation within the required time scale.
A day after his death, Mr Mitchell’s family said his passing ‘is an irreplaceable loss’ as they paid tribute.
Mr Mitchell, from St Brides Major, had been married to Sian for 34 years and he had three daughters, Hannah, Eluned and Siriol.
The family said: ‘He trained in librarianship at university and worked in various roles, before becoming a librarian at UNION School of Theology, Bryntirion, nine years ago.
‘Donald was an avid cyclist and was looking forward to spending time with his family in his retirement next year.
‘His sad passing is an irreplaceable loss to his family, who do not grieve without hope.’
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