Mayor appoints experts to improve road safety and increase cycling and walking

Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, has made two major appointments to deliver on his pledges to improve road safety and boost cycling and walking across the region.

These are the first commissioners appointed by the Mayor and will advise on road safety and active travel – the collective term for cycling and walking – working with the Mayor’s new Transport Taskforce.

Road Safety Commissioner Mat MacDonald is an NHS doctor with experience supporting victims of road collisions and is previous chair of the Better Streets for Birmingham group. He is the UK’s first road safety commissioner.

Beccy Marston has been appointed as Active Travel Commissioner, bringing her 17 years of experience working with communities, councils, charities and private sector organisations on initiatives to encourage more people to cycle and walk.

From left: Simon Foster, West Midlands PCC, Mat MacDonald, Road Safety Commissioner, Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands and Beccy Marston, Active Travel Commissioner

They will work closely with Transport for West Midlands (TfWM), which is part of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) and partners, including the police, fire service and local councils, to deliver for the people of the region.

The Mayor said: “I’ve seen the devastating impact dangerous driving has on victims and their loved ones. That's why making our roads safer is not just a priority – it’s a duty.

“Linked to this are our plans to encourage more people to choose cycling, walking and wheeling for their shorter journeys – to improve our environment, our health and reduce the traffic congestion on our roads.

“And in Mat and Beccy I have people with valuable experience, enthusiasm and determination to help deliver on my pledge to make travel in our region easier, safer, and more affordable for everyone.”

The key target, set out in the Regional Road Safety Strategy, is to reduce the numbers of people killed or seriously injured on our roads by half by 2030.

Mat said: “The task ahead is clear – we must reduce the number of people being killed and seriously injured in collisions on our road network. It will be an immense privilege to join a team who have dedicated themselves to this outcome through the Regional Road Safety Strategy, and I look forward to some hard, collaborative and focused work to deliver it. 

“Achieving this vital objective is the least we owe – not only to the victims of the tragic crashes on our streets, but also to the future generations of the West Midlands, whose safety and happiness is critical to realising the exceptional potential of our remarkable region.”

The region’s Local Transport Plan has set out the target for everyone to be able to safely reach a range of local destinations on foot, in a wheelchair or on a bike or scooter; with the aim of at least half of all trips to be made by active travel by 2030.

Beccy said: “My vision, alongside the newly formed taskforce, is to remove the barriers that prevent people from fully embracing active travel. By working hand-in-hand with communities and grassroots organisations, we aim to bring our new infrastructure to life and help individuals experience the practical benefits of walking or cycling for everyday journeys.

“As someone who personally adopted active travel over 17 years ago, I understand that walking and cycling may not be suitable for every trip. However, it is our collective responsibility to make these options safer, more accessible, and easier, helping them become the natural and preferred choice for short journeys."

Police and Crime Commissioner, Simon Foster, who chairs the West Midlands Road Safety Strategic Group, added: “I welcome the appointment of Mat and Beccy, who both share a burning passion to make our region a safer place to live, work and travel.

“Improving road safety and reducing the number of people tragically and avoidably killed and seriously injured on our roads will continue to be at the forefront of my priorities. I look forward to working with the Mayor and the newly appointed Road Safety and Active Travel Commissioners as we all commit to Vision Zero.”

The Transport Taskforce will shape policy and advise the mayor and partners as the region continues to invest in transport infrastructure and services – including bus service reform, growing Metro and rail networks and developing new cycle and walking routes.

Making journeys safer and greener are key aims of the region’s Local Transport Plan.

In November, the Mayor, police, council leaders and other partner groups adopted the new Regional Road Safety Action Plan 2024-2030 which set out 23 measures designed to reduce the numbers of people killed or seriously injured on West Midlands streets.

These included recruiting more staff to review speed camera and dashcam footage to secure more prosecutions, working with councils to design safer and healthier streets and quarterly reviews of all road deaths to learn lessons and advise on action.