Agenda item

Indicative timing: 2.05pm – 3.15pm

In attendance for this discussion:

Yvonne Pepper  - Road Safety Manager, West Mercia Police

Dave Perridge – Operations Manager, West Mercia Police

Anna Higgins – Engagement and Campaigns Manager, West Mercia Police

Bob Haynes  - Traffic Management Advisor (Worcestershire), West Mercia Police

Paul Middlebrough - Assistant West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner

Superintendent Steph Brighton, West Mercia Police (South Worcestershire)

Superintendent Mark Colquhoun, West Mercia Police (North Worcestershire)

The Board as the Council’s designated Crime and Disorder Scrutiny Committee had identified as part of its work programme that it would like to look at howthe County Council could support its Councillors to empower communities to manage speeding in Worcestershire. Key partners involved in this area had been invited to attend and contribute to this discussion.

A presentation was made by the West Mercia Police Road Safety Team (as detailed in the Agenda) which set the scene for the ensuing discussion. 

The following main areas were discussed:

·         The number of roads applicable to the 9 Community Speed Watch Schemes in Worcestershire varied according to the location and risk assessment.

·         In response to a Members question about whether the 32 fatalities in South Worcestershire between 2018-2020 as opposed to 21 in North Worcestershire suggested that the roads in South Worcestershire were more dangerous than North Worcestershire, it was explained that in order to explain the reasons for the difference in numbers, there would need to be analysis taking into account population and use of the roads.

·         The number of people killed or seriously injured (KSI) as a result alcohol and drugs was increasing. It was suggested that this was a theme which could be related to changes in behaviour patterns resulting from Covid.  Further analysis would however be required however to substantiate this.

·         The Board would be provided with further data in respect of the number of KSI’s relating to speeding.

·         Where a pattern to collisions was identified, resources would be put in place to understand the reasons why, however it was suggested that fatal accidents were often random.

·         In response to a Member suggestion that rural roads could be speeding hotspots, it was explained that this was not necessarily the case and that excessive speed for the circumstances could be an issue and be addressed via education on speed awareness and focused campaigns eg Dying 2 Drive, Be Safe, Be Seen.

·         The Assistant PCC explained that as part of his role, he would be working with the hard to reach communities of Herefordshire and Worcestershire. The PCC was very keen to deploy resources to educate communities in the widest way and had allocated £0.5m to road safety education.

·         There was a general consensus that education was key in tackling speeding in communities and it was agreed that the Road Safety Team would provide data to show how driver education has changed patterns of behaviour.

·         The Road Safety Team provided education to 6^th forms and young people up to the age of 24.  Most schools received the Programme on an annual basis.  The County Council Road Safety Team offered courses to the primary school age group.

·         The Road Safety Team acknowledged the importance of hearing the voice of the victim and welcomed details of any victims who were willing to share their story.

·         The Dying 2 Drive Scheme was discussed and the importance of promoting and encouraging young people to attend was emphasised.  Any promotion by Councillors of the Scheme was welcomed.

·         When a serious accident occurred, partners would work together to establish the cause and whether any remedial action was required.

·         It was agreed that in order for the Road Safety Team to build up relationships with the newly elected councillors, details would be provided to them.

·         In general terms, Councillors welcomed Community Speed Watch Schemes but thought the set up time was too long and protracted and more schemes were needed. The process for setting up a scheme was explained and it was suggested that it was possible to set up a Scheme in 2 months, however not all roads were suitable for a Scheme and communities weren’t always willing to operate a Scheme.  It was suggested that a better way forward may be to match the community concern sites with councillors who could look at setting up Scheme where needed.  The Road Safety Team agreed to consider this as a way forward.

·         The Road Safety Team confirmed that there was sufficient resource capacity to support the Community Speed Watch Schemes.

·         The accuracy of the Council’s Traffic Regulation Orders was questioned and it was agreed that this would be fed back to the Legal Team.

·         In response to a question about night-time anti-social speeding around towns and village at the weekend, Members were advised in the first instance to contact the relevant safer neighbourhood teams.

·         The merits of 20 mph speed limits were discussed and the importance of the speed limit managing the environment.

·         It was noted that a Road Safety Community Toolkit had recently been shared with Councillors.   It was suggested that this should be developed further to be a total resource for Councillors relating to all areas of speeding.

The meeting was adjourned from 4.10-4.20pm

In summary, the following actions were agreed:

·         The Road Safety Team would provide data in respect of the number of accidents relating to speeding and how driver education had changed patterns of behaviour

·         listening to the victims’ voice as part of driver education/awareness to change driver behaviour and roll out to schools and the Road Safety Team would liaise as appropriate with Cllr Rouse

·         details of the current Worcestershire County Councillors would be shared with the Road Safety Team so that links could be established

·         Councillors would be reminded about the Road Safety Community Toolkit,  and any suggested adaptations considered

·         The Council’s accuracy Traffic Regulation Orders (TRO’s) would be discussed with the Councils Legal Dept

·         The Road Safety Team would consider matching Community Concern Sites with the relevant local councillors

·         The DFT Circular 2013 would be circulated to the Board for information.

It was agreed that following the receipt of the information and data requested during the meeting, Community Speed Watch Scheme would be reviewed in 6 months’ time.