The West Midlands Combined Authority is set to implement a comprehensive package of road safety measures in the coming months, with the ambitious goal of eliminating all deaths and serious injuries from road collisions by 2040. This initiative, known as Vision Zero, is being spearheaded by Road Safety Commissioner Mat MacDonald, who is also an NHS doctor.
New Enforcement Technologies to Target Dangerous Driving
One of the key components of this safety drive involves the deployment of advanced traffic enforcement technologies across the region. Authorities plan to install new average speed enforcement infrastructure this year, which is expected to significantly reduce the number of collisions on West Midlands roads.
Additionally, the region will see its first active red light cameras in fourteen years. Birmingham City Council is currently identifying suitable sites for these cameras, while the Combined Authority is allocating funding to enable the six other local authorities in the region to implement pilot schemes at identified collision hotspots.
Addressing the Pavement Parking Problem
Another major focus of the road safety strategy involves tackling the persistent issue of pavement parking, which has become particularly problematic in urban areas like Birmingham. Commissioner MacDonald highlighted how this practice forces vulnerable road users, including wheelchair users, parents with pushchairs, and visually impaired individuals, to navigate dangerous carriageways.
"We're looking to have two pilots in two local authorities exploring how we are going to use those powers, what that is going to look like and learning how we are going to effectively roll them out more broadly," MacDonald explained.
Learning from Other Cities' Successes
The commissioner pointed to successful examples from other UK cities that have implemented similar measures. London has maintained an effective pavement parking ban since the 1970s, while Edinburgh has made the practice illegal, demonstrating how legislative changes can shift cultural attitudes toward what constitutes acceptable parking behaviour.
"Birmingham has got a really damaging culture of people just parking where they want, particularly on pavements in a way that forces people out onto the carriageway," MacDonald noted. "That's the culture we need to shift."
Community Engagement and Evidence-Based Approaches
The authority is taking a consultative approach to these changes, conducting surveys and focus groups to understand regional attitudes toward pavement parking. They are also engaging with local councillors to assess the impact at ward level.
Regarding speed limits, the authority is gathering region-specific data on 20mph zones, informed by evidence from Wales and London that demonstrates how reduced speed limits decrease collisions and save lives. This data will help inform guidance for local authority partners on appropriate speed limits for different areas.
A Comprehensive Safety Strategy
Alongside Active Travel Commissioner Beccy Marston, MacDonald aims to create streets safe enough to encourage walking, wheeling, and cycling. The joint working agreement encompasses multiple approaches to road safety, reflecting a holistic understanding of what makes streets safer for all users.
"We will be liaising with communities and taking the lead from them in how to tackle the issue, what works, what doesn't work and what we can bring to the table," MacDonald emphasized, underscoring the collaborative nature of this road safety initiative.
