Agenda item

(To consider a report from Steven Batchelor, Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership Senior Manager, on the Road Safety Partnership Annual Report)

Consideration was given to a report from the Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership Senior Manager, on the Road Safety Partnership Annual Report and on the work being undertaken by the Road Safety Partnership to reduce the number of people killed and injured on county Roads. The report provided an update on fatal and serious injury (KSI) casualty figures for Lincolnshire, plus data on trends, comparisons and areas of priority.

The report highlighted:-national strategies, policies and guidance; an analysis of the data, Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership (LRSP) organisational structure, priorities, activities, services, projected Income/Expenditure 2019/20; delivery of education, training and publicity to schools/colleges; Coronavirus Impact. It was noted that the LRSP co-located forensic collision investigators and casualty reduction officers from Lincolnshire Police with LCC's Accident Investigation and Road Safety teams to form a multi-agency centralised road safety unit. Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue also had staff based with the LRSP who co-ordinated all fire and rescue road safety related activity. Additionally, the deployment and maintenance of safety cameras was managed within the LRSP. Consequently, the entire core functions of road safety, namely engineering, education and enforcement were co-ordinated from this centre.

Members considered the report, and during the discussion the following comments were noted:-

·         The Committee welcomed the comprehensive and informative report.

·         In 2019, 54 people had been killed and 480 seriously injured on the roads of Lincolnshire. 46 had been killed so far this year. It was noted that most accidents occurred on rural roads, casualties were most likely to be male, the vehicle type most likely to be involved were motorcycles and those involved were most likely to be the young or elderly.

·         It was noted that during the Covid pandemic there had been less traffic on the roads with people taking fewer journeys and therefore less opportunities for accidents, however there had been evidence that vehicles had been driving faster.

·         Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership was working with other agencies nationally to consider and review road safety strategies, including measures to curb speeding.

·         Average speed cameras were seen as one of the most effective methods of decreasing speed and managing traffic flow. The cost of new cameras started at approximately £70k and there were currently 80 sites in operation in the County. LRSP also operated mobile camera enforcement systems. The Department of Transport set out guidance and criteria for the introduction of new cameras and this was primarily based on the number of collisions at specific sites. There were concerns expressed that there were a number of areas in the County where communities had expressed concern about speeding and potential danger but which had no history of collisions. It was also thought that not all collisions were reported and recorded. The Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership Senior Manager confirmed that a review was underway to see what further could be done in these circumstances. It was noted that a risk based approach would be taken and any action would need to be managed within existing resources.

·         Members welcomed the tiered approach in looking at improvements to road safety. Particular mention was given to the High Dyke Lane area.

·         It was noted that East Lindsey had a higher rate of accidents. It was thought that tourists who were unfamiliar roads may account for some of the accidents. The Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership Senior Manager undertook to look at the postcode data on accidents and forward the information to the Committee. He would also include, if feasible, whether street lights were on or off at the time of these accidents, and include data on cyclists and pedestrians.

·         The impact of the Covid pandemic on speed awareness courses were noted as was the successful roll out of 12000 digital courses instead. Feedback had been positive to the digital courses to date. It was hoped that a blended approach of face to face and digital courses could be offered post pandemic. Educational delivery to schools had also been reduced due to the pandemic but it was hoped that normal service could be resumed in the near future.

·         There were over 250 parishes involved in Community Speed Watch and 50 active groups monitoring speed. Consideration was being given to obtaining volunteers in un-parished areas. It was noted that it was up to each parish council to request replacements for any faded signposting.

(Councillors N Worth and Mrs C Lawton gave their apologies and left the meeting)

RESOLVED:   That the report be received, the comments noted and it be recorded that the Committee was reassured by the work being undertaken by the Road Safety Partnership to reduce the number of people killed and injured on county roads.