A Somerset councillor and a senior police officer have publicly disagreed over the emergency services' response to suicides occurring on the M5 motorway. The motorway has been plagued by significant congestion throughout the past year due to crashes and welfare concerns, often resulting in lengthy closures and disruption for motorists.
Councillor Henry Hobhouse, representing Castle Cary for the Liberal Democrats, raised concerns during a recent scrutiny committee meeting about the perceived slow pace at which suicide-related incidents on the motorway are handled. He compared the current response times unfavourably with those of the British Transport Police, drawing on his previous experience working with Network Rail.
He explained: “I used to work on the railways. There are around 300 suicides on the railways annually across the UK. The British Transport Police manage these in a matter of hours – typically two or three – because such incidents are frequent and well-practised. In comparison, there are only about 50 suicides on all roads in the UK each year, and we could learn from their system.”
READ MORE: M5 Roundabout Upgrade to Proceed Amid Defence Spending Increase
READ MORE: First Glimpse of 915 New Homes on Key Taunton Development Site
The comment was met with criticism from Conservative Councillor Andy Dingwall who noted the inherent differences between roads and railways: “Railways have a fixed track, allowing the situation to be recognised and treated as a tragedy more quickly.”
Avon and Somerset Constabulary’s forensic collision investigation lead, Andy Roebuck, emphasised that the investigations differ considerably: “These are not comparable situations. We operate under different legal requirements than the British Transport Police. Whilst the concerns are valid, we must abide by the law in our procedures. Additionally, dealing with suicide investigations is highly traumatic for my staff.”
During the meeting, Councillor Pauline Ham (Liberal Democrat, Cheddar) inquired about the possibility of introducing preventative measures on the numerous bridges over the M5. She suggested that installing fencing or wire meshing might deter individuals from attempting to take their own lives from these locations. She acknowledged the difficulty in persuading individuals in crisis but stressed the importance of introducing obstacles to help prevent such tragedies.
Ian Thompson, National Highways' lead officer for stakeholder relations in the South West, responded by outlining ongoing efforts to address vulnerable structures along the M5. He stated: “We have assessed more than 2,200 structures near the M5 to identify those most at risk. We are currently designing solutions, securing funding, and planning targeted interventions to improve safety.”
The meeting concluded with a reminder about the availability of support for those struggling with mental health issues. Samaritans are accessible day and night, 365 days a year, offering confidential assistance. Individuals can contact them free on 116 123, email [email protected], or visit samaritans.org to locate their nearest branch.
“Dealing with suicide investigations is highly traumatic for my staff,” said Andy Roebuck, highlighting the sensitive nature of these incidents for emergency responders.
This discussion underscores the complexities involved in responding to suicides on busy roadways like the M5, and the ongoing efforts by authorities to improve prevention and response strategies.