A recent scrutiny committee meeting in Taunton saw a notable disagreement between a Somerset councillor and a senior Avon and Somerset police officer over the handling of suicides on the M5 motorway.
Councillor Henry Hobhouse, one of the two Liberal Democrat councillors representing Castle Cary, criticised the police for what he described as a slow response to suicides on the M5. Drawing on his experience working for Network Rail, he compared the police’s handling of these incidents to the British Transport Police’s approach to railway suicides.
He highlighted that although there are about 300 suicides on UK railways annually, the British Transport Police manage investigations within a few hours due to their established procedures. In contrast, he pointed out that there are only around 50 suicides across all UK roads each year and argued that the authorities should learn from the railways’ more efficient system.
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Councillor Hobhouse stated, “I used to work on the railways. There are 300 people who commit suicide on the railways annually across the UK. The British Transport Police deal with it in a matter of a few hours – not eight or nine, it’s two or three, because it is so regular that they have a proper system to deal with it. There are – excuse me for saying it like this – only 50 people who commit suicide on all the roads in the whole of the UK, and we need to learn from the British Transport Police.”
However, Councillor Andy Dingwall, Conservative representative for Bridgwater East and Bawdrip, responded by emphasising the differences between railways and roads. He noted that railways have fixed tracks, which make recognising such tragedies more straightforward.
Adding to the discussion, Andy Roebuck, Avon and Somerset Constabulary’s forensic collision investigation lead officer, explained that the police face legal restrictions and operate under a different set of procedures compared to the British Transport Police. He said, “It is not like for like – they are totally different investigations. We operate totally different to the requirements of the British Transport Police. Your comment is valid, but their way is not comparative to the way we have to operate by law. Dealing with suicide investigation is highly traumatic for my staff.”
The committee also examined prevention measures. Councillor Pauline Ham, Liberal Democrat for Cheddar, raised the idea of increasing physical barriers on the many bridges spanning the M5 to deter individuals from attempting to take their lives.
She commented, “Prevention is always a better approach. Is there any consideration to putting fencing, wire meshing or whatever on the bridges? I’m aware that if a person has reached the point where they wish to end their life, it’s very difficult to persuade them that they don’t – but the more obstacles we can put in their way, the better it will be.”
National Highways representative Ian Thompson shared that the agency has assessed more than 2,200 structures close to the M5 to identify those most vulnerable to such incidents. He stated, “We are in the process of identifying issues, designing solutions and identifying funding to target a number of structures.”
The ongoing dialogue highlights the complexities involved in responding to these tragic incidents on the motorway and the efforts underway to improve safety and support for individuals in crisis.
When life becomes difficult, support is available. Samaritans offer confidential help 24/7. They can be reached free on 116 123, by email at [email protected], or via their website at samaritans.org to find the nearest branch.