MP Raises Delays in Road Traffic Accident Investigations

The Liberal Democrat MP for Brecon, Radnor and Cwm Tawe David Chadwick has today (20th November) raised concerns around delays to road traffic accident investigations caused by resourcing problems in forensic collision units.

David Chadwick’s question to the Minister comes after a court was told that the investigation into the alleged hit-and-run death of a young London cyclist, Harry Web, will take about a year-and-a-half to complete due to resourcing challenges being faced by the Metropolitans Police forensic collision unit.

This means that Mr Webb’s bereaved parents Pat and Mike Webb, who live in Mr Chadwick’s constituency of Brecon, Radnor and Cwm Tawe are unlikely to find out until March 2025 at the earliest whether the defendant in the case is going to face additional charges in relation to their son’s death – a wait of 18 months.

After placing the question to the Minister of State for Policing Dame Diana Johnson, she agreed to take the issue of resourcing problems in forensic collision units to her officials.

During the question, David Chadwick highlighted his own experience of being hit by a car in the Netherlands and stated that any delay to justice only extends the agony for the families of victims.

Commenting David Chadwick MP said:

“It is simply not right that victims and family members of victims are being put through excessively long waits for investigations to go to trial, which only extends their agony.

“The Government must ensure that forensic collision units across the UK are being properly resourced so that no family should be expected to wait the amount of time Pat and Mike are being asked to for a trial to proceed.

“I am grateful for the Minister’s response today and hope to arrange a meeting with her in future to discuss the problem in more detail in addition to the specific case impacting my constituents.”

ENDS