Agenda item

Alderman Alison Gowman to be heard.

The Committee heard a verbal update from the SIA Lead for Road Safety and Casualty Reduction.

The SIA Lead explained that there was renewed enthusiasm in this area. They had met with the lead CoLP officers this morning and were very impressed with their level of engagement.  The Member explained that the work was largely aligned to the NPCC guidelines and national initiatives, giving examples such as work around the use of mobile phones by drivers that was funded and tasked by Transport for London, highlighting their strong and active relationship.

The SIA Lead explained that Project Servator was being linked more with roads policing.

The SIA Lead explained that it had been proposed that cycle officers could be reinstated with a holistic approach that covered a range of areas from cyclists’ behaviour to bicycle thefts.

A Member noted the rising number of complaints relating to cyclists’ behaviour and asked if there was any attempt to increase visibility of Police Officers.  The Member noted an area near Cheapside where cyclists often crossed the pavement causing disruption to pedestrians.  The Commissioner noted that the specific area in question was a “dual-use” path that required improved markings to ensure greater visibility by pedestrians. 

The Member also referenced an annex submitted to the recent Bank on Safety report that stated that 1 in 8 collisions reported were between cyclists and pedestrians.  He noted that pedestrians were a key priority as they made up 90% of road and walkway users in the City of London.  He asked if there might be a joint paper produced on cycling behaviour.  The Commissioner noted the Members concerns but commented that pedestrians were also as culpable in a significant number of accidents that take place through inattention to their surroundings and emphasised the importance of recognising that the City’s streets, particularly around Cheapside, are very busy.  He explained that road safety would form an element within the wider transform programme, but it would be subject to resource capability.  He noted that specifically tasked units often risk becoming too narrowly focussed on a single area and that all officers were currently permitted to use bicycles available should they choose.

The Commander of Operations and Security explained that in the new Force priorities, Road Safety would fall within the scope of Vulnerability and noted that it was a dedicated strand within the cross-cutting scheme of the Vulnerability Working Group.  They explained that the Corporation was also part of this group which was very active.

RESOLVED – That the report be received.