Cycling News

Welsh cycling tragedy: joint admission of liabilty

The legal team representing British Cycling has welcomed the news that the driver of the vehicle that killed four cyclists in January 2006 has admitted joint liability along with Conwy County Borough Council.


The inquest into the tragedy will be heard in Abergele starting on 4th June and expecting to last through until July.

The families welcome the final listing of the inquest which continues to be their primary focus, despite the joint admission of liability made by Solicitors now representing both Mr Harris the car driver, and Conwy County Borough Council.

“Joint admission of liability” refers to the statement made by Messrs Keoghs Solicitors representing the insurers of Robert Harris and the insurers of Conwy County Borough Council dated 21st March 2007:

“As a result of an agreement reached between the insurers of Robert Harris and the insurers of Conwy County Borough Council, your clients will not be required to prove negligence or breach of duty in their civil actions against either of our clients. No allegations of contributory negligence will be made. Both insurers accept this as an irrevocable position on both their parts.

The claims on behalf of the injured cyclists, and those of the Estates of the Deceased will be met on a 100% basis."

Whilst this admission does mean that the families will not have to prove the issue of liability for the happening of this tragedy in a Civil Court, and they will thereby be entitled to compensation in respect of the loss of their loved ones, these are matters that have always been secondary to their concern that the Coroner should establish the full facts relating to any failures, errors or lack of communication and inadequate systems, that ultimately led to the death of the four cyclists on 8th January 2006.

Since the issue of civil liability has now been resolved, the families will have no prospect of being able to recover their legal costs at the Inquest. 

British Cycling has now confirmed that it will provide the funds necessary to ensure the families remain able to continue with their fight for answers and to ensure that lessons can be learned for the future.

Published Thursday 5 April 2007