Issue - meetings

On a motion from Councillor Saskia Heijltjes, seconded by Councillor Joanna Wright, it was unanimously

RESOLVED that

Council notes:

1.  Statistics from the Department for Transport state that between 2017 and 2021 – the last period with complete data, 15 people were killed and 133 seriously injured by vehicle collisions within Bath and North East Somerset. On average, 292 are injured every year on B&NES Roads and 31 are killed or seriously injured. The number of all reported personal injury collisions on Bath and North East Somerset highways has reduced by 46% over the last decade, however vulnerable road users like cyclists and pedestrians are disproportionately affected.

2.  Bath and North East Somerset’s aspirations on road safety are included in the West of England Combined Authority (WECA) Joint Local Transport Plan 4 (JLTP4), which contains a target: ‘a vision of zero avoidable deaths on locally managed roads by 2036,’ and an objective: ‘Road safety for transport users is improved, particularly for those most at risk.’ Progress against the targets in JLTP4 is monitored through the Combined Authority’s annual Progress Reports. The council’s current and recent efforts to make roads safer include:

?  More than 10,000 children in Bath & North East Somerset will receive some form of road safety education this year;

?  Recent road layout schemes, including the B3114 collision reduction scheme and the London Road cyclist safety scheme;

?  Numerous pedestrian improvements near schools;

?  A programme of 20mph speed limits.

?  Support for Community Speedwatch programmes in collaboration with the Police

3.  As part of any highway scheme, Bath and North East Somerset Council undertakes a series of robust safety audits in line with national guidance, to provide a detailed independent assessment of a scheme. This ensures that safety aspects of design and implementation have been scrutinised and addressed. Reduction in the number and severity of casualties for all road users is supported through the following interventions:

?  Considering the needs of all road users in the design of transport and highway schemes, particularly vulnerable road users

?  Delivering road safety education and skills training to equip people with the knowledge and skills to travel in a safe and sustainable way

?  Working in partnership to build safer communities

4.  Vision Zero is a proven strategy to eliminate all traffic fatalities and severe injuries while increasing safe, healthy, and equitable mobility for all. Key principles include:

?  Safe speeds - encouraging speeds appropriate to the street;

?  Safe streets - designing an environment forgiving of mistakes;

?  Safe vehicles - reducing risks posed by the most dangerous vehicles;

?  Safe behaviours - improving the behaviours of people using our roads;

?  Post-collision response - learning from collisions and improving justice and care for victims.

5.  B&NES council has recently launched the Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy and Corporate Strategy which set out priorities for healthy communities as well as safe neighbourhoods.

6.  Councils and organisations that have adopted Vision Zero include: Bristol, Kent, Devon, Cornwall, Brighton and Hove, Blackpool, Leeds, Hackney, Transport for London, National Fire Chiefs Council, The  ...  view the full minutes text for item 63