Well-known Eden photographer Fred Wilson says the introduction of new speed limits and safety measures near the scene of a road crash which claimed the life of his wife will be “in her memory”.
Wendy Wilson, who was 70 and lived at Milner Mount, Penrith, died in hospital after her bicycle was in collision with a motorcycle ridden by a female travelling south between Tirril and Yanwath on 28th May, 2023.
Wendy, an experienced cyclist and competitive runner, suffered a catastrophic head injury in the crash, which happened when she emerged from a minor road — known locally as Bob’s Lonning — on to the B5320, which links Eamont Bridge and Pooley Bridge, intending to turn right.
Glowing tributes were paid to Wendy, who worked at an accountancy firm as a receptionist. Her husband of 49 years — former Herald photographer Fred Wilson — described her as a “wonderful” wife and said Wendy, also a mother-of-two and grandmother, “always had a smile”.
At an inquest into Wendy’s death, coroner Margaret Taylor received a statement from the motorcyclist involved, who had been travelling within the speed limit and spoke of “an accident that I just could not avoid”.
Of Wendy, the coroner observed: “I don’t know why she didn’t see the motorcyclist. We will probably never know.”
Ms Taylor concluded that the T-junction from which Wendy had emerged on to the B5320 had an “obscured view”. Inquiries had been made, said the coroner, and concerns raised with highways staff about this junction.
Hazard lines on the B5320 were badly worn and not visible on the date of the 2023 collision, Cockermouth Coroners’ Court also heard. It was concluded that they needed to be replaced. It was also suggested that more signs were needed, alerting road users to the junction. Ms Taylor concluded that Wendy died as a result of a road traffic collision.
In October last year, members of Westmorland and Furness Council’s Eden locality board gave the green light for new speed limits for the Yanwath area. This was one of 22 road safety schemes approved across the district which were being designed before May, 2023.
Councillors agreed that a 40mph limit in Yanwath should be cut to 30mph, to address road safety concerns and encourage active travel around the village primary school.
In addition, councillors concluded that a 40mph limit on the B5320 should replace a 60mph stretch between Yanwath and nearby Tirril, reducing approach speeds.
Fred has received confirmation that the council is in the process of rubber-stamping a traffic regulation order (TRO). A council spokesman said this week: “A TRO, required by law to implement the changes, is currently being finalised, taking us one step closer to making these improvements. We will keep our communities updated as further progress is made.”
Speaking to the Herald, Fred said: “I’m very happy with what’s going to happen, and to me it will be in memory of Wendy.
“It will hopefully help Yanwath School, and also the parish council. It’s a very busy road with school traffic and in the summer it’s even more busy with visitors.
“It just means that out of a bad job with Wendy being hit we’re going to get some safety measures and it might save a life. I hope drivers adhere to the new 40mph limit.”
Fred suggested that other road users could also make improvements, saying: “Wendy’s hope was always for all cyclists to wear bright clothing or have plenty of lights on their bikes, and for motorcyclists to do the same — so they can be a lot safer.”
He also thanked members of the emergency services who have provided help since May, 2023, and continue to support the community. They include Cumbria police personnel, especially family liaison officers Kimberley Bell and Freya de Chastelain; Great North Air Ambulance Service; Penrith-based Beep Doctors (BASICs) Cumbria; and staff at Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary. “We can’t do without them,” added Fred.
