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Cycle tragedy gritting 'mistake' Cycle tragedy gritting 'mistake'
(about 1 hour later)
The highways engineer responsible for gritting an icy road where four cyclists died has admitted he made a mistake not deploying gritting lorries.The highways engineer responsible for gritting an icy road where four cyclists died has admitted he made a mistake not deploying gritting lorries.
Conwy Council official Robert Emlyn Williams also told an inquest a police complaint about ice on the road had not rung alarm bells.Conwy Council official Robert Emlyn Williams also told an inquest a police complaint about ice on the road had not rung alarm bells.
The Rhyl Cycling Club members all died when a motorist lost control and collided with them near Abergele.The Rhyl Cycling Club members all died when a motorist lost control and collided with them near Abergele.
Police contacted Mr Williams an hour before that crash, the inquest heard.Police contacted Mr Williams an hour before that crash, the inquest heard.
That call told him a driver had skidded on ice a few miles from the point on the A547 near Abergele where the cyclists were fatally hit as they set off on a Sunday training ride to the Great Orme in Llandudno on 8 January, 2006.That call told him a driver had skidded on ice a few miles from the point on the A547 near Abergele where the cyclists were fatally hit as they set off on a Sunday training ride to the Great Orme in Llandudno on 8 January, 2006.
Serious frostSerious frost
The inquest at Abergele town hall heard Mr Williams told police he would send someone to check that area but, in fact, he decided to wait because he had not been convinced there was a problem there. The inquest at Abergele town hall heard Mr Williams, who is known as Emlyn, told police he would send someone to check that area but, in fact, he decided to wait because he had not been convinced there was a problem there.
He told the inquest he made the decision because the earlier incident was the only one reported to him that morning.He told the inquest he made the decision because the earlier incident was the only one reported to him that morning.
He explained the weather forecast had not predicted a serious frost in that area or on the A547 where the cyclists' accident occurred.He explained the weather forecast had not predicted a serious frost in that area or on the A547 where the cyclists' accident occurred.
In fact, the inquest heard, there had been a sudden drop in temperature that morning unknown to Mr Williams.In fact, the inquest heard, there had been a sudden drop in temperature that morning unknown to Mr Williams.
The four cyclists had just begun their training rideThe four cyclists had just begun their training ride
The four cyclists - Thomas Harland, 14, Maurice Broadbent, 61, Dave Horrocks, 55, and Wayne Wilkes, 42 - were killed when the car driven by Robert Harris, 47, from Abergele, collided with the group.The four cyclists - Thomas Harland, 14, Maurice Broadbent, 61, Dave Horrocks, 55, and Wayne Wilkes, 42 - were killed when the car driven by Robert Harris, 47, from Abergele, collided with the group.
North-east Wales coroner John Hughes put it to Mr Williams that the call from the police about the earlier skidding incident should have rung alarm bells.North-east Wales coroner John Hughes put it to Mr Williams that the call from the police about the earlier skidding incident should have rung alarm bells.
"I accept what you are saying, but at the time it did not ring any alarm bells," Mr Williams replied."I accept what you are saying, but at the time it did not ring any alarm bells," Mr Williams replied.
He said it was simply a "mistake" not to have gritted the area that morning.He said it was simply a "mistake" not to have gritted the area that morning.
He also explained that it would have taken the lorry an hour to arrive at the scene after the initial call.He also explained that it would have taken the lorry an hour to arrive at the scene after the initial call.
Frozen puddlesFrozen puddles
The inquest jury earlier heard evidence that the fatal collision had been the third incident that day,The inquest jury earlier heard evidence that the fatal collision had been the third incident that day,
One witness said she had never seen so much frost on the roads.One witness said she had never seen so much frost on the roads.
Several witnesses said it was the coldest day for a long time, and recalled frozen puddles along the roadside.Several witnesses said it was the coldest day for a long time, and recalled frozen puddles along the roadside.
The coroner has told the jury the route had not been gritted by Conwy Council that day, despite frost having been forecast.The coroner has told the jury the route had not been gritted by Conwy Council that day, despite frost having been forecast.
Driver Robert Harris was fined £180 with £35 costs last August and given six points on his licence after admitting having defective tyres.Driver Robert Harris was fined £180 with £35 costs last August and given six points on his licence after admitting having defective tyres.
The court heard the defective tyres were not a factor in the accident.The court heard the defective tyres were not a factor in the accident.
The inquest continues and is expected to continue into next week.The inquest continues and is expected to continue into next week.