Issue - meetings

This paper updates Members on the proposed decision to adopt a new Road Casualty Reduction Strategy for Kent 2014-2020.  The Strategy has been developed following a workshop involving key stakeholder groups and representative organisations and has been subject to a full public consultation.

(1)       The Cabinet Committee received a report of the Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport and the Corporate Director of Growth, Environment and Transport which contained the draft strategy for Road Casualty Reduction for Kent 2014-2020 for the consideration of the Committee.  David Joyner, Transport and Safety Policy Manager, and Tim Read, Head of Highway Transport, were in attendance to introduce the report and in particular referred to the following:

(2)       That the strategy had been developed following a workshop involving key stakeholder groups and representative organisations and had been subject to a full public consultation.

(3)       That there had been 66 responses to the public consultation, the majority of which had been positive.  Comments received had been incorporated into the Strategy.

(4)       In Kent the number of people killed or seriously injured in road crashes had fallen by 50% between 2000 and 2010.  KCC had a target to deliver a further 33% reduction by 2020.

(5)       In response to questions raised and comments made the Committee received the following further information from officers:

(6)       ‘Licence to Kill’ was an educational theatre event set round a staged, filmed road traffic accident (RTA) and involving appearances from emergency services personnel and a young person injured in a RTA.  The film had been viewed by approximately 6,000 students a year to date.  Members who had seen the production praised it and suggested that newer Members take up opportunities in the future to attend performances.

(7)       ‘Highway factors’ identified as potential causes or contributory factors were derived from data collected by the first responding police officer at an RTA.  Factors included signage, lighting, surfacing, visibility and road markings.  Engineering work was then concentrated on those areas identified.

(8)       Tim Read agreed with Members to expand the issues which had arisen during the debate on the Strategy.  It was agreed that one of the regular Tuesday afternoon Member Briefing slots be utilised for that purpose. 

(9)       That police enforcement and communication was a key factor in reducing road casualties and a meeting was being arranged between the Cabinet Member, Kent Police, Kent & Medway Fire and Rescue Authority (KMFRA) and Medway Council to discuss this.

(10)    RESOLVED that the Cabinet Committee recommend that the Cabinet Member for Transport & Environment adopts the Road Casualty Reduction Strategy for Kent 2014-2020 and the policies and actions contained therein.