Birmingham City Council has begun consultation on a new Road Harm Reduction Strategy, designed to reduce the number of road accidents resulting in death or serious injury.
The strategy is the latest step in the council’s commitment to Vision Zero, a campaign which seeks to eliminate all fatalities and severe injuries in road accidents.
The Road Harm Reduction Strategy incorporates the internationally recognised Healthy Streets approach, which supports the prioritisation of people rather than motor vehicles in the designing of new roads and will complement the Birmingham Transport Plan, adopted in October 2021.
Such objectives may be achieved by narrowing roads and adding roadside furniture such as trees and seating, therefore reducing the speed and volume of motor vehicles and promoting the safety of cyclists and pedestrians.
Councillor Liz Clements, Cabinet Member for Transport, said: “We need to reclaim Birmingham’s streets and public spaces for people, not cars.
“For too long the needs of motorised vehicles have been prioritised over the needs of people and this must change. Our streets should be well designed, attractive and sustainable places to live.
“We have been doing a lot of work to change priorities and make roads and public spaces safer for communities and this strategy continues that work. I invite all road users to respond to our consultation.”
This is not the first time Birmingham City Council has consulted its citizens on issues of road safety. The council also recently consulted on plans to reduce the speed limit from 40mph to 30mph on main roads.
The current consultation period will run until 5th April 2024.
Photo: iStock
