Josie Archer-Smith
7 Dec 2022 · Coroner James Dillon · Mid Kent and Medway
This report repeats 1 earlier warning, and was raised again 1 time later. See the linked reports.
The coroner's concerns
1. water aquaplaning on M20
“The M20, a multi lane motorway, at the location where the collision took place has had a number of collisions occur which appear to have been caused by water/aquaplaning”
2. water runoff across carriageway
“The crash location is at the bottom of an incline on the M20 motorway which normally would not cause an issue, however the road also has a camber which causes water to run across the carriageway rather than draining into either the central reservation of the drain on the hard shoulder”
3. recurring collisions at location
“Investigating police from the Serious Collisions Investigation unit commented that they are aware that this location is a problem in heavy weather and have attended collisions at this location in the past”
4. need for remedial works
“The police officer believes that it is when this heavy water is running across the carriageway that there is an issue which does require further investigation as to any remedial works that can be completed to prevent any further fatal/serious injury collisions”
Linked reports
Closely relatedConfidence 0.80 · moderate
Earlier report
“Police officers who attended the scene noticed, in addition to standing water on the carriageway, a flow of water across the westbound carriageway at or near the point where the BMW began to veer to the left.”
This report
“The crash location is at the bottom of an incline on the M20 motorway which normally would not cause an issue, however the road also has a camber which causes water to run across the carriageway rather than draining into either the central reservation of the drain on the hard shoulder”
Closely relatedConfidence 0.90 · high
This report
“The crash location is at the bottom of an incline on the M20 motorway which normally would not cause an issue, however the road also has a camber which causes water to run across the carriageway rather than draining into either the central reservation of the drain on the hard shoulder.”
Later report
“Despite this fatal collision having occurred in December 2025, the topographic and drainage surveys are not yet available and no works other than "minor works for overburden removal" have taken place”
Responses
2022-0399-Response-from-National-Highways-Limited.pdf ↗· National Highways
Stated action · 08 February 2023
“South East Regional Operations Centre (SEROC) set variable message signs to display”
Stated action · 08 February 2023
“170 metres of combined kerb drainage jetted, 200 metres x 2 Acco drains jetted and a full CCTV drainage survey carried out”
Stated action · 08 February 2023
“200 metres of combined kerb drainage jetted and cleaned; ▪ 150 metres of centre reserve drainage channel cleaned;”
Stated action · June-July 2023
“M20 Medway and Allington Deck Refurbishment scheme is due to be delivered between June and July 2023”
M20-Junction-5-6.pdf ↗· National Highways