Council leader welcomes region-wide road safety partnership

The Leader of Sunderland City Council has today [19 Sep] welcomed a decision by the city's ruling cabinet to enter a new five-year partnership aimed at improving road safety across the region.

The Northumbria Safer Roads Initiative (NSRI) will see the seven local authorities of Northumberland and Tyne & Wear work in partnership with Northumbria Police and the Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner to reduce road casualties and increase road safety awareness.

Each of the parties involved have worked collaboratively on numerous road safety projects since the formation of the new Mayoral Authority, however this new, formal partnership represents a renewed commitment by all involved to work collaboratively on improving road safety and clamping down on problem motorists.

With Sunderland City Council playing a key role in the initiative, the partnership will focus on enhancing education, prevention, and enforcement measures to reduce the risks faced by road users across the Northumbria Police force area.

Cllr Michael Mordey, leader of Sunderland City Council and portfolio holder for strategic transport, said: "I am delighted that Cabinet has today green-lit the proposed cross-region road safety partnership.

"By working strategically with neighbouring local authorities, Northumbria Police and the Police and Crime Commissioner, Susan Dungworth, it will allow us to work more efficiently in areas such as education, prevention and taking direct action against dangerous drivers.

"Pooling our resources and expertise will also make it easier for local authorities, such as ours, to identify and act upon challenges and dangers facing the region's road users and streamline the decision-making process when it comes to improving key roads.

"It is a great example of how the City Council is committed to working with our colleagues across the region to improve the lives of residents and make Sunderland the best possible place to live, work and visit."

The previous Northumbria Safer Roads Initiative (NSRI), which ended in 2015/16, paved the way for this new agreement, with Gateshead Council continuing to act as the lead authority.

In recent years, the local authorities and Northumbria Police have worked together on various safety campaigns, including the 'Schools Go Smarter' and 'Road Respect' initiatives.

The new partnership agreement however is expected to build on the consortia's previous successes by focusing on improvements in the following areas:

• Improving road safety through strategic interventions on the region's highway network, with a particular focus on enhancing speed limit compliance.
• Expanding the use of digitalised fixed speed cameras, subject to budget availability.
• Developing tailored education and engagement activities to build confidence and safety among road users.
• Enhancing collaboration on road safety research, data collection, and intelligence sharing, leading to more effective enforcement measures.
• Creating coordinated joint media plans to communicate road safety initiatives to the diverse communities across the region.

The NRSP will also work closely with Northumbria Police to ensure targeted enforcement is directed at more 'high-risk' road users.

Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Susan Dungworth, said: "We all make use of our roads in some way whether we get behind the wheel, travel as passengers or walk or cycle through our neighbourhood.

"Road safety therefore impacts us all, so it's important we all work closely together to promote safety and ensure action is taken against those who pose a danger. I'm supportive of this partnership which brings together key services with a shared ambition to make Northumbria's roads safer for everyone."