Elizabeth Lang and Katie Lang
26 Mar 2026 · Coroner Andrew Hetherington · Northumberland
The coroner's concerns
1. low friction coefficient on A1068 Sheepwash Road
“Sideway-force Coefficient Investigation Machine testing ('SCRIM" testing) is carried out by the council on an annual basis. Further that the county has responsibility for an extensive road network. SCRIM testing carried out on 18 September 2024 assessed the coefficient of friction as low. I heard that Northumberland County Council has an acceptable level of 0.5. Where the vehicle began to slide the coefficient of friction was 0.22. The deceleration tests identified a coefficient of friction at 0.598g at the initial test site and 0.637g after Bothal Bank”