Agenda item

To receive and consider the attached report of the Team Leader (Safe and Sustainable Travel) that introduces an update of the recently adopted Vision Zero Strategy and its action plan and to gather input from elected members and residents.

The report of the Team Leader (Safe and Sustainable Travel) introduced an update on the recently adopted Vision Zero Strategy and its action plan.

The following attended this item:

·  Gillian Macleod, Transport Development Services Manager

·  Rosie Revell, Team Leader, Road Safety

·  Rebecca Murray- Transport Planner, Influencing Travel Behaviour

Members were provided with a PowerPoint presentation that touched on the following key points:

·  Road accidents and safety statistics were compelling enough for a new approach and the need to bring in the Vision Zero Strategy. The Strategy and Action Plan was adopted in September 2022.

·  There is an ambition that by 2040 no one will be killed or suffer serious injuries on roads in Leeds.

·  The 4 guiding principles: road death and serious injury are not acceptable, humans make errors and are vulnerable to injury, safe system approach and everyone is responsible.

·  The 5 safe system pillars of actions: safe speeds, safe roads, safe vehicles, safe behaviours and people and post-collision learning and care.

·  The language used when talking about victims and drivers (not vehicles).

·  The delivery of Vision Zero and those involved.

·  Date driven interventions in terms of police operations targeted the fatal 5 (speed, mobile phone usage, not wearing a seatbelt, distraction and careless driving), behaviour change campaigns, education, infrastructure, targeted communications, funding bids and reporting.

·  Highway Code updates: hierarchy of road users - those in charge of vehicles that can cause the greatest harm in the event of a collision bear the greatest responsibility to take care and reduce the danger they pose to others.

·  Changes to speed camera criteria introduced in February 2023. There is additional flexibility in siting criteria and warning signage will not always be present.

·  The total number of drivers ‘dealt with’ in the Inner North East Community Committee area being 406 as part of Operation SPARC (Supporting Partnership Action to Reduce Road Casualties).

·  An overview of how Highways and Transportation aim to achieve Vision Zero: infrastructure changes, partnership with Leeds and West Yorkshire Safe Roads Partnership, awareness raising events and radio campaigning, VMS road safety messaging, school safety lessons, city-wide targeted communications, Speed Indication Devices (SIDs), wheelie bin stickers, monitoring collision data and analysis and other data led interventions and trials.

·  Training delivery by ward area. Chapel Allerton featured in the top 10 ranking wards for pedestrian casualties.

·  In the Inner North East area there were 530 collisions in 2017 – 2021 resulting in 11 fatalities and 106 serious injuries. Across Leeds in this period, there were 93 fatalities and 1561 serious injuries.

·  Promotion of ‘Operation Snap’ where photographic evidence showing driving offences that can be submitted to West Yorkshire Police (WYP) online.

The committee discussed the following matters:

·  It was confirmed that LCC have had difficulties getting into secondary schools to provide tailored targeting due to their curriculum timetable being restrictive. Work is already there with Y6 children before they go to secondary school. West Yorkshire Police (WYP) offer training for young drivers, particularly aimed at those in sixth form as well as an offer to help pre-drivers by looking at the theory test and providing advice to new drivers. Further to this, a member commented that it is drivers of all age who can be a ‘careless driver’ and was of the opinion that penalties for offences need to be stronger.

·  It was confirmed that ‘School Streets’ is being implemented – the removal of traffic from some roads outside of primary schools during term time at the school's opening and closing times. These types of restrictions are known as School Streets. Travel Plans will be established on an individual school basis, and it was confirmed that a lot of schools are not appropriate. It was also acknowledged that there is a culture shift required with parents / carers dropping children off as close to the school as possible. The team work with WYP and parking services if required. Further to this, members generally supported this initiative but were keen to see other schools meet the criteria.

·  A member commented that infrastructure changes such as widening pavements and making roads narrower is required for issues relating to speeding, particularly in the Roundhay area.

·  A suggestion was also made that the team seek to work with insurance companies to collect data in relation to near misses or minor accidents.

·  Concerns regarding no traffic calming measures on Meanwood Road and Chapeltown Road.

·  Members identified an opportunity for LCCs Highways department to consult with residents when re-surfacing roads, to highlight any other issues that can be rectified at the same time.

·  Further enforcement required around pavement parking.

·  A member suggested that the team look at visual signage and banners that catches the attention of drivers during busy traffic periods.

The Chair provided members of the public with the opportunity to ask questions / provide comments and therefore:

·  A suggestion was made that a speed survey be conducted along Scott Hall Road due to on-going issues with speeding and road accidents.

·  A comment relayed concerns regarding the terminology used as it was acknowledged that pedestrians do not kill people and language should aim more at drivers.

·  A suggestion that Infrastructure changes are required rather than depending on culture change through social media. In comparing to a 20mph default option implemented by the Welsh Government, it was suggested that Leeds adopt something similar. In responding to this, it was confirmed that whilst this particular change would have to be a direction from central government, there are plans to roll out further 20mph speed limits.

·  A local resident commented that a mass transit system would benefit Leeds. Whilst it was acknowledged that such system would improve public transport and accessibility, there is no direction from central government. Leeds authority continues to lobby Government on this matter.

The Chair thanked those in attendance, and for everyone’s contributions during the meeting.

RESOLVED – To note the contents of the report and presentation provided during the meeting.