Agenda item

To receive the report of the Team Leader, Safe and Sustainable Travel which provides the Community Committee with an understanding 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:

·  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 is to change to talking about victims and drivers (not vehicles).

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

·  Highway Code updated 2022: 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.

·  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, Visual Messaging System (VMS) road safety messaging, school safety lessons, citywide targeted communications, Speed Indication Devices (SIDs), wheelie bin stickers, monitoring collision data and analysis and other data led interventions and trials.

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

In response to questions from Members of the Committee and members of public in attendance, the Community Committee were informed of the following:

·  Information in relation to causation factors of accidents would be sent to Members with a breakdown by ward.

·  The Action Plan would review speed limits and would also look to promoting 20mph restrictions in residential areas.

·  It was noted that mobile phones were one of the major causes of distraction for drivers. However, the team acknowledge that there are other distractions such as children whilst they are passengers in a vehicle. The team would look at this as part of education to schools along with the use of E-Scooters. It was recognised that E-Scooters had become popular, and training was being included along with cycling for schools and the team were looking to build on this type of training at secondary schools.

·  A member of the Peoples Forum was in attendance at the meeting and also raised the issue of causation factors and statistics. He wished to share ideas for safer roads. The officer offered to speak with him after the meeting.

·  A member of the public attending the meeting wished to see the adoption of 20mph as a default on all residential roads. It was noted this issue was being looked at as part of the action plan.

·  The 5 pillars of Safer Road System included Post Collision, Learning and Care. This was in response to those who were affected by road death as there were gaps in assistance and support after a fatality.

·  It was noted that after a recent fatality on A647, Inner West Members had attended a meeting in relation to speed on a particular stretch of the A647 in Armley. As a result, a speed camera was to be added to this stretch of road. The Transport Officers were invited to attend a future Armley Forum.

·  Members suggested using factual information about people’s injuries and experiences of accidents rather than statistics to make a more powerful statement for road users.

·  The Committee were advised that the new version of the Highway Code presented a new hierarchy of road users which had met with a hostile reception from some road users. The team hoped to open up dialogue with hard to reach groups. It was noted that more detailed analysis of accidents and statistical information could be accessed using Data Mill North.

·  It was acknowledged that resources were not currently adequate in tackling road incidents such as speed, but the Police were on board with the Vision Zero Strategy and the action plan.

·  In relation to speed check surveys the officers present were unable to provide information on chosen locations but offered to check this and report back.

·  Members noted that on the Day of Remembrance as part of the Oak Leaf Service, names of those who had been in fatal accidents were read out at Leeds Minster. 

The Chair thanked the officers for their attendance at the meeting.

RESOLVED – To note the content of the report and the presentation and Vision Zero Strategy and Action Plan.