PAPER D

ENVIRONMENT AND TRANSPORT SELECT COMMITTEE SELECT COMMITTEE - 22 APRIL 2003

DRAFT ROAD SAFETY STRATEGY

HEAD OF ENGINEERING SERVICES

REASON FOR SELECT COMMITTEE CONSIDERATION

To consider the new draft Road Safety Plan.

ACTION REQUIRED BY THE SELECT COMMITTEE

To endorse the draft Road Safety Plan for the purpose of public consultation, and the results of that consultation are brought back to this Select Committee for consideration.

BACKGROUND

The Council’s Local Transport Plan states that the Council will review its Road Safety Strategy as part of its Best Value Improvement Plan. In addition to national casualty reduction targets, Audit Commission Performance Indicators have been defined for various aspects of road safety, and the Council is striving to achieve performance levels in the top 25%ile of authorities.

The Road Safety Plan represents a target-led strategic review of the progress of the road safety strategy for the Isle of Wight. Best practice from around the UK has been considered. A review of local casualty problems has been undertaken to ensure that the proposals will tackle the Island’s road casualty problems effectively. A substantial number of potential improvements to the road safety service have been identified.

The Plan covers specific the issues of improving safety for different road user groups, the role of deterrence & enforcement, and the safety of the road network itself. There are also separate strategies for Safer Routes to Schools; Speed Management; Safety Audit procedures and Safety Engineering schemes.

In a corporate context, this Plan is consistent with the objectives to care for vulnerable and disadvantaged people; to protect the health, safety and environment of the Island and it’s people; and to develop the Island’s transport network for the benefit of local people.

This is a comprehensive document that will impact upon the lives of most, if not all Island residents, and as such should receive the widest endorsement possible. To that end, public consultation should be as inclusive as possible and members are invited to consider how best that could be achieved.

Appendix 6 to the Plan sets out a list of Partnership Organisations that could form the basis for the consultation process. It is also proposed to make the Plan available on the Council’s website.

RELEVANT PLANS, POLICIES, STRATEGIES AND PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

The Local Transport Plan and the Highway’s Best Value Improvement Plan are the main documents in this matter.

CONSULTATION PROCESS

This is described in Appendix 6 of the draft Plan.

FINANCIAL, LEGAL, CRIME AND DISORDER IMPLICATIONS

There are no financial implications at this stage. Appendix 7 to the Plan does contain a summary of key actions and after consultation the financial implications of these will have to be evaluated.

Ensuring the safe use of the Island highways also has links in with the Crime and Disorder Strategy.

APPENDICES ATTACHED

The draft Road Safety Strategy and Appendices.

BACKGROUND PAPERS USED IN THE PREPARATION OF THIS REPORT

None used in the preparation of this report.

Contact Point : Peter Taylor, ☎ 825763 e-mail [email protected]

                                                                         STEPHEN MATTHEWS

                                                                    Head of Engineering Services