The report of the Strategic Director, Place (Document “D”) provides an update to the previous recommendations around the management of the district’s Killed and Serious Injuries (KSI’s) on the highway.  The report also updates on the Inter-Departmental Agreements between Planning, Transportation & Highways Service and Public Health around the Road Safety Team and Active School Travel.

Recommended –

(1)       That Members note the content of the report;

(2)       That officers are requested to update the Committee in 12 months        time to include Casualty performance and a financial update.

(Simon D’Vali – 01535 618375)

The report of the Strategic Director, Place (Document “D”) provided an update to the previous recommendations around the management of the district’s Killed and Serious Injuries (KSI’s) on the highway. The report also updated on the Inter-Departmental Agreements between Planning, Transportation & Highways Service and Public Health around the Road Safety Team and Active School Travel.

The Principal Engineer was invited to present the report to the Committee.

Following the verbal presentation, a question and answer session ensued:

·         What tasks had been undertaken to move forward with reduction of casualties in Bradford?

o   The Principal Engineer confirmed that he was the Chair of the West Yorkshire Safer Roads Partnership. Through his position, he had requested the study of work undertaken in each district and from this study to consider whether Bradford could partner with other Councils in embarking on casualty reduction work so that costs could be shared and the Council making considerable savings. As a result an independent review was necessary and a brief was being prepared at present;

·         Were young people educated on the dangers of driving at high speeds?

o   It was important to relay important information to 16/17 year olds who were about to drive for the very first time and young men were being educated on the dangers of excessive speeding;

·         Had any work been undertaken on the consequences of nuisance driving?

o   Victims of accidents and parents of deceased children as a result of nuisance driving had attended NHS training seminars in the past but at present due to financial constraints such projects could not be afforded to be run;

·         Were schools able to afford running such training seminars in-house?

o   This was not a mandatory obligation on schools;

·         Had the service engaged Mosques for addressing issues during sermons and Madrasah classes?

o   The service had engaged with all Imams through the Council for Mosques during 2018 Eid celebration period. This was a productive exercise due to the positive feedback from Council for Mosques;

·         What other work was being looked at presently?

o   Bradford was a focal point of major cycling activities and events therefore the numbers of cyclists had increased. The Council was training around 3000 cyclists every year on cycling with safety. In addition, a report was due in the near future titled ‘Bradford District Cycling Strategy’ for all to digest;

·         How did Bradford compare with the rest of the district?

o   Bradford was capitalising on funding projects which a strategic approach to the district;

·         How was data collated?

o   The source was the National Police Data and then followed analysis on a district level. Following analysis, Principal Engineers visited locations and discuss the nature of accidents and injury. The ultimate objective to find solution to prevent repetition of accidents at same locations;

During the discussion, the following points were made:

·         Operation Steerside (West Yorkshire Police operation that continued to uphold standards on the roads of Bradford) was an effective operation in Bradford that focused on casualty reductions;

o   In response to comment, this operation assisted in the clamp down of businesses giving cheap insurances for pool cars (a car shared by employees of a business) as a significant amount of crime had been committed by these cars. This operation did not only assist in casualty reduction but also with the reduction of crime levels;

·         The impact of aggressive driving caused law abiding drivers and pedestrians unnecessary grief and ultimately the innocent people paid the price;

·         A large number of young men drivers were driving under the law with correct cover of insurance for their vehicles but there were always a certain number of drivers who would rather pay a big fine if caught without insurance as opposed to paying for insurance protection; and,

·         It was paramount that young men who had survived injury through nuisance driving to talk to new drivers about the negative impact of nuisance driving and no protective insurance.

Resolved –

(1)       That the Committee recognises the positive impact of Operation           Steerside and urges the Executive to liaise with the Police Service           to identify funding to ensure the continuance of this operation.

(2)       That the Committee receives an update report in 12 months to   include details of the development of shared services.

ACTION: Strategic Director, Place