Statement issued by the Mayor on behalf of the Police and Crime Commissioner and Leaders of Birmingham City Council

Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands and WMCA Chair said: “The increasing number of serious incidents on the roads across the West Midlands requires emergency action. The Police and Crime Commissioner, Birmingham City Council’s Leadership and the Mayor of the West Midlands have agreed we must actively work together to make our roads safer.

“The police, council and Transport for West Midlands will immediately stand-up gold command meetings to deliver on priority issues. A lot of work is underway, including the police increasing officer numbers to strengthen the Road Harm Prevention team, to specifically tackle dangerous, careless and inconsiderate driving.

 “Working together, we will further increase the level of enforcement with additional average speed cameras across the region, targeting hotspots. We have raised this issue directly with the Secretary of State and will lobby for revenue from fixed penalty notices, for motoring offences like speeding, to remain in the region so the money can be invested in road safety initiatives. All parties also agreed on the urgent appointment of a Road Safety Commissioner to work closely with all organisations responsible for delivering safer roads, and to bring an unwavering focus to action. 

 “No deaths on our roads are acceptable, which is why we are collectively focused on delivering Vision Zero. To achieve this, we are committed to working together through our Road Safety Partnership, which includes Better Streets for Birmingham and charities such as Road Peace and the Road Safety Foundation, to deliver a strategy that will make our roads safer for everyone.”