Fencing examined over M56 deaths

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Police are investigating whether fencing was removed around a motorway where two boys were killed.

Kieran Coupe, seven, and his six-year-old friend Guy Davies died when they were hit by three cars on the M56 at Preston Brook, near Runcorn.

The police investigation will look at whether the fence close to the carriageway was taken down for maintenance work - or was vandalised.

Schoolchildren are to have extra lessons in safety following the deaths.

The pair were pushing scooters across the carriageway on Wednesday evening when they were hit.

A spokeswoman for Cheshire Police said: "We are looking at every possible route the children may have taken as part of our inquiry for the coroner.

It is by no means clear at this stage that the fence was removed as part of works HSE spokesman

"Fencing, or lack of fencing, will be one of the lines of inquiry and for that reason we will liaise with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE)."

A spokesman for the HSE said that police had told them a section of fence was missing.

"We are waiting for the police to establish where the fence was and how far it was from the motorway," he said.

"It is by no means clear at this stage that the fence was removed as part of works. It may have been vandalised or something like that."

Guy Davies and Kieran Coupe lived on the same street

Kieran's father Colin Lambert said he had warned the youngster to stay away from the motorway, which is about 300 yards (275m) from the back garden of his home.

Halton Councillor Dave Carghill said that he believed fencing had been removed because of tree felling.

He added: "Inquiries are under way to find out exactly what happened and who was doing the work."

Staff at Murdishaw West Primary, which both boys attended, are to speak to pupils about the dangers of high speed traffic when they return after half-term.

Halton Council is deciding whether to adapt its road safety plan.

Mr Lambert has called for clearer signs around the motorway.