2014-01-06 - Rider Down, Russel Square

There are markings on the road as well as a road sign. http://goo.gl/maps/ZRgv5

If you believe this sign has been overpainted recently, perhaps this should be reported to the Police.
Perhaps this should be reported to the police anyway.
This.

If you believe this sign has been overpainted recently, perhaps this should be reported to the Police.
Perhaps this should be reported to the police anyway.

You can report damaged/missing street signs online via TFL.

You can report damaged/missing street signs online via TFL.

Handy to know but if this has been overpainted to pervert the course of justice, I don't think it's just a routine TfL issue.

best wishes to the rider for a good recovery.

Yep one sign on the left is missing and the one on the right has been painted over

I noticed the sign removal on Monday (13th) too. I'd already photographed the junction before this for the solicitors but I think it's part of scheduled works http://maps.camden.gov.uk/StreetWorks/StreetWorks.aspx?area=montague%20place
I have reported it to the Camden Council and TFL just in case though.

Once again thanks for all the kind thoughts. Be careful out there, this is what a 12 ton coach does to a foot!

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Ouch, that looks seriously painful. I hope that heals up fast and your friend gets back to riding sooner rather than later!

A quick update on this incident, just in case anyone is interested. 5 months after the accident the case goes to court.
The driver: after pleading guilty, got a £375 fine and 5 points.
The victim: is still in pain, using crutches and will never walk properly again.
The £375 won't even cover the cost of the prescriptions, let alone the specialist shoes she'll require.
Avoid booking, using or riding close to P&J Ellis coaches, the driver is still on the road!

Can you pursue civil charges for medical cover, etc?

Is that this P&J Ellis coach company?

http://www.pjellis.co.uk/

That's the company, I seem to see them quite often now.
We're currently going through the civil case, hopefully that's a better outcome. The law is an ass, we didn't expect much from it. At least he wasn't let off without any sort of penalty, the 5 points will make more of an impact then the fine.

5 points?!

I despair at the state of sentencing for drivers.

+1 on the civil claim, driver pleading guilty should help and by the sounds of the lasting impact of the injuries should allow a claim of a decent amount of damages.

It's ridiculous. The guy that hit me and fled was fined over £600 and got 6 points and I wasn't really injured - just some bark off - shoulda done the prick for killing my saddle though.

So, has the bus company offered anything in the way of compensation?
The bus company being P&J Ellis http://www.pjellis.co.uk

She was heading down Montague Pl to Russell Sq, and turned right, as cycles are allow to. The coach came from behind, did an illegal right turn and hit her rear wheel. The coach's rear wheel went over her left foot, crushed it and also broke both the bones in her lower leg as the weight of the coach snapped her leg over the bike frame.
...
Out of 28 bones in the foot, 26 are crushed and she will never run again (she was training for a half marathon in March) and might not be able to wear heels.

The driver was charged at the scene with dangerous driving and a traffic offence. The police have 4 witnesses willing to testify that he was in the wrong. Fingers crossed the courts actually do something.

Just re-reading this. You could not get a clearer case of the driver being in the wrong and causing serious injury to a cyclist. He pleads guilty and gets 5 points and a fine. Absolutely shocking!

£375, a week's wages? For a lifetime injury.

a literal drop in the ocean for a company as vastly successful bus company P&J Ellis. http://www.pjellis.co.uk

Has the management of P & J Ellis issued a statement about the incident?

So a blatantly dangerous driver still works for http://www.pjellis.co.uk ?

Shocking, and a terrible outcome for justice.

So the coach was on of the fleet from P & J Ellis?

This is their website http://www.pjellis.co.uk ?

Absolutely horrible behaviour from P&J Ellis http://www.pjellis.co.uk/

Currently this video from 2012 is on first page of search result

Quality driving - P & J Ellis Coach Hire London May 2012 - YouTube

Shocking driving from P&J Ellis http://www.pjellis.co.uk/

Should this be appealed? Srsly? Call another lawyer!

Where do PJ Ellis hire their drivers from? Are they trained?