A coroner has called for action to improve safety on Christchurch Way in Stone following the death of a pedestrian who was hit by a lorry while crossing the road.
Charlotte Saunders suffered a severe brain injury after being struck by a tipper lorry on 27 August 2024.
The 52 year old required 24 hour care following the collision. Her condition deteriorated on 25 December 2025 and she died at a specialist neurological care centre on 13 January 2026.
Following an inquest which concluded on 3 June, Lindsey Tonks, assistant coroner for Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent, issued a Prevention of Future Deaths report raising concerns over road safety at the location.
The report was sent to Staffordshire County Council and National Highways.
The inquest heard that Mrs Saunders had been walking from the Morrisons car park towards Stone town centre, crossing Christchurch Way at a point where there are no pedestrian guardrails.
There are two traffic light controlled pedestrian crossings within around 100 metres of the location, but the coroner noted that pedestrians commonly take the more direct route across the road.
In its response to the report, Staffordshire County Council said it would consider potential safety improvements at the location as part of a wider review into active travel in Stone.
The coroner said the location presented a risk of future deaths because a supermarket car park and an alleyway leading into the town centre are positioned on opposite sides of the busy road, without guardrails preventing people from crossing directly between them.
In her report, she states:
“Police inquiries revealed that Mrs Saunders had walked from the car park of Morrisons and had been attempting to cross the furthest lane carriageway, heading towards the town centre, at the time that she was struck. The police report stated that this route ‘is often used by pedestrians to cross over in to the town, rather than walking to one of the crossings’.
“A police officer who gave evidence also described having visited the site for the purposes of his investigation and having observed at least ten pedestrians crossing at the same location during a period of no more than thirty minutes.
“I have concern that there is a risk of future deaths as a result of the current layout of this location.”
According to Staffordshire County Council, there have been no other personal injury collisions recorded at the location on Christchurch Way since 2020.
The council has considered installing additional guardrails to encourage pedestrians to use the formal crossing points, but said there were concerns these could reduce visibility for drivers and that pedestrians could instead cross near the nearby bus stop.
In its response to the coroner’s report, the council said a planned scheme looking at active travel in Stone would now be extended to include the Christchurch Way location.
Councillor Anthony Screen, Staffordshire County Council cabinet member for community safety and resilience, said:
“Our thoughts remain with Charlotte’s family following this tragic incident.
“Road safety is a key priority for the county council and we work closely with partners and residents to help prioritise schemes which will help make areas safer for everyone.
“We do carry out regular reviews of our road network and are considering some improvements at a number of locations in Stone, which will include at Christchurch Way. Any changes would have to be prioritised against other priorities in the area but could help to encourage safer pedestrian crossing routes at this location.”
The Christchurch Way review will consider current national guidance on pedestrian guardrails and explore alternative measures to encourage pedestrians to use the formal crossing routes.
Read the Charlotte Saunders Prevention of Future Deaths report
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