In the last few years, we have helped around 20 UK road safety partnerships, highways authorities, and regional governments in the formation and delivery of their strategies. We ensure that we embed the Safe System and Vision Zero principles into the actions and targets we develop. And we continue to work closely with the partners as they move from strategy launch to the hard work of delivery.
Tanya Fosdick
Research Director
Last week, one of the partnerships we have been working with since 2023 held its first Vision Zero Road Safety Summit. Safer Roads Greater Manchester is serious about implementing their new strategy well and I was proud to play a small part in this important step forward.
The room was packed – full of senior decision makers, sat alongside delivery partners. And many of those stakeholders did not have a day job in road safety – their presence demonstrating how the Safe System needs contributions from adjacent sectors and professions.
It is clear that leadership in GM is strong: the day opened with impassioned speeches from Chief Fire Officer and Chair of the Strategic Steering Group, Dave Russel; Deputy Mayor, Kate Green; and Active Travel Commissioner, Dame Sarah Storey. As CFO Russel stated: “the case for change is compelling” when it is clear that we would be treating road death and serious injury as a pandemic, if it was any other data set.
It is clear that leadership in GM is strong: the day opened with impassioned speeches from Chief Fire Officer and Chair of the Strategic Steering Group, Dave Russel; Deputy Mayor, Kate Green; and Active Travel Commissioner, Dame Sarah Storey. As CFO Russel stated: “the case for change is compelling” when it is clear that we would be treating road death and serious injury as a pandemic, if it was any other data set.
And data and evidence were common themes throughout the day, taking those in the room from theory to tomorrow’s actions. For my part, I gave a very brief recap of the Safe System, reiterating the need for collaborative working, proactivity, and acceptance of the key principles that people making mistakes, and that death and serious injury is unacceptable. I was joined by Helen French from Manchester City Council, who talked about the bespoke Area Profiles we are developing to help them create a data-led Action Plan. Exploring specific areas of the city, and focusing on street typologies and vulnerable road users, this analysis will help MCC in their contributions to the Vision Zero strategy.
A summit doesn’t make a successful strategy. Action and commitments do. But the energy in the room; the conversations and connections between partners; the pledges made at the end of the day – these all are clear indications that the commitments are there, and the action will follow. I wish all of the partners luck as they start the hard work, and I am pleased we can play our part.
