07.07.20
West Midlands partnership launched to reduce road injuries by 40%
A partnership between Transport for West Midlands (TfWM), West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), local councils and the emergency services aims to cut the number of injuries on roads by 40%.
The West Midlands Regional Road Safety Strategic Group, launched yesterday (July 6), will work to reduce the number of incidents that cause death of serious injury by 2030.
Strategic guidance and recommendations from West Midlands Police, West Midlands Fire Service, Public Health England and road safety charities will be shared with local authorities to make roads and highways as safe as possible for people in the region.
The group will also investigate the impacts of Covid-19 and road safety issues around speeding traffic, sharing data and intelligence through the partnership to better inform the public.
Cllr Ian Ward, WMCA portfolio holder for transport and leader of Birmingham City Council said:
"Our transport system is undergoing rapid change, with an increased focus on public transport, walking and cycling and this partnership will make sure that improving road safety is at the heart of our planning and investment going forward.
"Safer roads will be key to transforming the way we travel across the region and this partnership illustrates a collective determination to cut casualties and deaths on our roads."
Priorities tailored to the region will be set and monitored, paying particular attention to vulnerable road users and the younger population, with input from the Young Combined Authority to challenge priorities and policies.
Like many regions, the West Midlands is also supporting more active modes of transport and will consider programmes designed to support walking and cycling as well as a proposed pilot for e-scooters in the region.
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