West Midlands road safety commissioners face 'huge task' in making roads safe
Birmingham campaigners say new commissioners aimed at making roads safer and encouraging more active travel face a “huge task.”
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West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker announced Mat MacDonald had been appointed as the new Road Safety Commissioner and Beccy Marston as Active Travel Commissioner.
Both commissioners will work for one day a week and be paid an honorarium of £200 per day.
Better Streets for Birmingham campaign group, of which Mat was previously the chair, wished them well in their role and said they looked forward to working with them in the future.
But they repeated concerns they’ve previously raised last November about the reduced number of days the commissioners will work which has been reduced from three which previous incumbents worked.
At the time, the Mayor’s office rejected claims they were downgrading the roles, saying it did not want to waste taxpayer’s money on duplicating work already carried out by officers employed by Transport for West Midlands.
Cath Palgrave and Martin Price, Co-chairs of Better Streets for Birmingham, said: “We congratulate both commissioners on their appointment.
“The task they face together is huge: a stagnating number of collisions wrecking all too many lives while meaningful action continues to be lacklustre.
“Today marks day 180 of Birmingham’s declared road safety emergency and there is no time to waste.
“We are clear that both commissioners must lead in creating safer, equitable streets by building safe infrastructure and delivering the regional road safety action plan.
“We reiterate widely-held concerns that without the right time commitment and access to mayoral levers, commissioners will struggle to effect the change the West Midlands so desperately needs.
“We thank Mat MacDonald wholeheartedly for his leadership. We wish him well in this important role and we look forward to working with both commissioners in the future.”
Cath Palgrave and Martin Price will co-chair Better Streets for Birmingham until the group’s AGM in March.
The commissioners 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 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.
Upon their appointment, Mr Parker 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.”
