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Concern for cyclists on multiple crash death road

Danielle Herbert & Eben Leonard
BBC News
Family Photo Donald Mitchell, who has grey hair and glasses stood outside a grand building wearing a green jumper and brown jacket.Family Photo
Donald Mitchell was struck by a car while cycling home from work as a librarian

A coroner has raised concerns after a cyclist died on a five-mile stretch of a road where there have been four deaths and eight serious collisions.

An inquest was told Donald Mitchell, from St Brides Major, Vale of Glamorgan, died after cycling home from work in December 2020.

The 61-year-old was struck by a blue Volvo S40 travelling in the same direction as him while cycling along the A48 near the Laleston roundabout in Bridgend.

Coroner Patricia Morgan, who was told Mr Mitchell suffered "catastrophic head injuries" and was pronounced dead at the scene, called on Bridgend council and the Welsh government to respond to her concerns about a lack of active travel route for cyclists in the area.

Bridgend council said it would be responding to the coroner within the required time scales and the Welsh government has been asked to comment.

Google Stretch of road with a car on, next to road signs and near by grass.Google
A coroner has raised concerns over a lack of an active travel route for cyclists in the area where Mr Mitchell died

Ms Morgan said: "In my opinion, action should be taken to prevent future deaths and I believe you and your organisation have the power to take such action."

Donald Mitchell was travelling east between the roundabout and the junction of Well Street when the crash happened on 17 December.

Mr Mitchell had been married to his wife Sian for 34 years and they had three daughters, Hannah, Eluned and Siriol.

Paying tribute, his family said he was a librarian and avid cyclist who was looking forward to his retirement, adding: "His sad passing is an irreplaceable loss."