Simon Fox, the Assistant Director for Highways and Infrastructure presented this report which provided an update on the Council’s road safety programme, strategy and policy as well as progress with resolutions agreed by the Environment, Climate Emergency and Transport Committee on 16 March 2021, which included recommendations from the Road Safety Working Group and the Combined Authority Transport Plan Integrated Block programme. A future report would include a full schedule of locations requested by various people with evidence, budget allocation and a proposed programme of implementation for 2022/23. The report highlighted key achievements against the recommendations of the Working Group, including six pilot 20 mph schemes, the vision zero pledge on road casualties and vehicle activated speed warning signs.

Members questioned detail in the report which established:

·  Surveys were carried out following schemes to assess their success

·  Some schemes had been postponed because of the Covid-19 pandemic which affected finances and officer time

·  Variable speed limit signs were most effective if used sparingly but required set criteria to be installed

·  Behavioural science was utilised and more information on this would be shared with Members

·  There was a time lag between a Committee decision and implementation

·  Satnav companies were informed of changes in speed limits

·  Schemes connected with schools had been delayed whilst schools were not operating consistently although an externally funded School Streets Officer was being appointed to help implement schemes

Councillor Liz Grey proposed additional text to the recommendation. This was seconded by Councillor Allan Brame.

Resolved (7:4)

That

(1)  the various workstreams included within the Council’s programme of road safety improvements and the proposed mechanisms for the delivery of this programme in 2021-22 and beyond be noted;

(2)  the Committee request the officers focus on delivering each of the road safety working groups recommendations as an urgent priority and asks that officers provide clear feedback on each recommendation before the end of this calendar year detailing progress made in planning, funding and implementation

(3)  Committee notes that 4.24 of this report omits full reference to the Department for Transport guidance on implementation of 20 mph which can be implemented on roads with average speeds above 24 mph. Committee also notes that 4.25 of this report does not acknowledge that the data on collisions can never reflect the extent to which road safety fears drive behaviour choices in local travel. Roads may appear safe in terms of collision data because people are too scared to walk or cycle along them. Committee wishes these factors to inform the rollout of 20 mph zones.