Agenda item

Report of the Executive Director, Environment.

Representatives of the City of London Police were in attendance and contributed to the debate on this item.

The Committee received a report of the Executive Director, Environment which presented an annual statement on information and actions linked to the key strategic aims and ambitions within the City’s Transport Strategy.  It was noted that the data indicated an overall reduction in the risk of people being injured in road traffic collisions.

Arising from consideration of this report and the previous item concerning risk management (minute 6 above refers), there was a detailed discussion concerning road safety, in particular the high level of risk which it represented within the City.  Although the broad range of engineering interventions was welcome, campaigns and engagement activities were perceived as being less co-ordinated and effective, as was the approach to addressing pedestrian behaviour.

The following issues were considered:

·         The challenges of achieving a successful engagement campaign were acknowledged.  Police representatives agreed to engage with Members post-meeting to seek their views on previous engagement activities and ideas regarding effectiveness.

·         Dockless bikes, including instances of poor parking, were identified as a potential factor affecting road safety.

·         A Member commented on one potential consequence of engineering interventions, which was the mitigation of risk by moving traffic from one area to a safer one.

·         The importance of achieving a correct balance between road safety and facilitating efficiency of movement across the City was highlighted.

·         Responding to questions concerning the amount of development work taking place in certain areas of the City, Officers commented on the arrangements in place to ensure the co-ordination of projects and mitigation of the challenges and effects.  This topic would be the subject of a future all-Members training session.

A question concerning a specific aspect of road safety was considered during the non-public part of the meeting (minute 17 below and within the non-public minutes of this meeting refer).

The report was noted.