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Cycle deaths road 'not gritted' Cycle deaths road 'not gritted'
(about 2 hours later)
A road on which four members of Rhyl Cycling Club were killed in a collision was not gritted on the morning of the tragedy, an inquest jury has heard.A road on which four members of Rhyl Cycling Club were killed in a collision was not gritted on the morning of the tragedy, an inquest jury has heard.
Thomas Harland, 14, Maurice Broadbent, 61, Dave Horrocks, 55, and Wayne Wilkes, 42, died in January 2006 after a car skidded on ice near Abergele.Thomas Harland, 14, Maurice Broadbent, 61, Dave Horrocks, 55, and Wayne Wilkes, 42, died in January 2006 after a car skidded on ice near Abergele.
Opening the Abergele inquest, Coroner John Hughes told the jury they would hear evidence of the road's condition. Day one of the inquest heard from the father of the youngest victim.
The inquest is due to last a month and hear from around 200 witnesses. Coroner John Hughes warned the jury the hearing at Abergele would be emotional, but added: "No one is on trial here".
Addressing the jury on Monday, Mr Hughes told them they would hear how the route was not one gritted by Conwy Council on the morning of 8 January. Addressing the jury on Monday, Mr Hughes told them they would hear how the route was not one gritted by Conwy Council on the morning of 8 January, despite frost having been forecast.
This is going to be a case of high emotion. You must remain aloof from the emotion Coroner John Hughes
Mr Hughes, coroner for North East Wales, also said there had been another accident near the scene on the same morning, and the police had been in touch with the council about conditions on the road.Mr Hughes, coroner for North East Wales, also said there had been another accident near the scene on the same morning, and the police had been in touch with the council about conditions on the road.
Defective car tyres were not a "contributory factor," a court heard Two police officers contacted their control room after briefly losing control of their Ford Galaxy that morning, the inquest heard.
Mr Hughes said evidence they would hear would vary from those who thought the condition of the road was "appalling," to those who did not notice any adverse conditions.Mr Hughes said evidence they would hear would vary from those who thought the condition of the road was "appalling," to those who did not notice any adverse conditions.
He also told the jury they would have to consider whether it was safe for cyclists to be out.
He then warned them: "This is going to be a case of high emotion. You must remain aloof from the emotion."
The four cyclists died on the A547 Rhuddlan Road not far from the start of a 60-mile (97km) Sunday club ride to Llandudno's Great Orme and back.The four cyclists died on the A547 Rhuddlan Road not far from the start of a 60-mile (97km) Sunday club ride to Llandudno's Great Orme and back.
Experts
Motorist Robert Harris, 47, from Abergele, was fined £180 with £35 costs last August and given six points on his licence after admitting having defective tyres.Motorist Robert Harris, 47, from Abergele, was fined £180 with £35 costs last August and given six points on his licence after admitting having defective tyres.
The court heard that the defective tyres were not a factor in the accident.The court heard that the defective tyres were not a factor in the accident.
The coroner said: "Experts say it matters not whether the tyres were bald or brand new. It's a question of ice on the road."
Defective car tyres were not a "contributory factor," a court heard
On the first day of the inquest, the heartbroken father of Thomas Harland, the youngest victim, described how the family had been robbed of an "unforgettable" son and brother.
Jon Harland was cycling with his son and broke a leg in the collision.
He told the inquest: "Thomas was an unforgettable boy.
"Sharon, my wife, and myself couldn't have brought up a better son and brother for Jessica and Sally. He was caring and considerate. He was good academically and athletically.
"Everyone who knew him warmed to him. He was happy right to the end when he was stolen from us."
The coroner has previously criticised delays on the full inquest getting under way.The coroner has previously criticised delays on the full inquest getting under way.
In January at a preliminary hearing he described delays in obtaining a full statement from a key witness as "totally unsatisfactory" and said justice was not being served. Before Mr Harland gave evidence, Mr Hughes told him: "I'm far from happy it's taken this long to get the case before court.
Civil action "I'm sure it must have prolonged your agony unnecessarily."
A month before, Mr Hughes said there needed to be greater communication between Conwy Council and North Wales Police, after it emerged there had been a delay in the authority supplying gritting records. The court also heard from Susan Broadbent, whose husband Maurice was killed.
Mr Hughes said there was a danger the cyclists' families might think there was a cover-up. She said her husband was a founder member of the cycling club, adding: "Everything was for safety. He wouldn't have gone out that day if he felt it was dangerous."
In April, another preliminary inquest hearing was told that the council and the motorist's insurance company had agreed a deal which could pave the way for compensation for the families. The inquest, which continues, is expected to last up to six weeks, and will hear from around 200 witnesses.
A solicitor acting for the families welcomed the news but said there was no plan for any civil action in the courts at that time.
She said the inquests were the families' top priority.