Over a quarter of a million pounds will fund projects to make roads safer across West Mercia, as part of Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion’s Road Safety Fund.
With the original fund boosted by £30k after more than 80 applications were submitted by local communities, the PCC is funding a wide-range schemes in Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin.
Understanding speeding is a major contributory factor in around one third of all road traffic collisions, the PCC is investing in measures to drive down speed.
Bicton will receive four Speed Indicator Devices, match funded by Bicton Parish Council, to remind motorists travelling through the village to follow the speed limit. The fund will also enable parish councils in Alderbury, Broseley and Tibberton & Cherrington to each purchase a SID.
In Munslow, Clunbury, Barrow, Broseley and West Felton parishes, the PCC is supporting bids to purchase a total of seven Vehicle Activated Signs.
Mini-police officers will also be appearing in Oakengates to ensure motorists drive safely and park considerately when children go to and from three local schools.
Raising awareness of road safety, an education programme is being funded in Telford & Wrekin to the tune of £31,394, following a bid from the unitary authority. This will ensure younger and more mature drivers, cohorts more likely to be involved in a collision, are better informed about the choices they make on the road using virtual reality.
A 17–24-year-old pre-licence driver education programme will be rolled out across West Mercia, with £1,800 being allocated to care leavers in Telford designed to target those from more deprived areas. West Mercia Police’s ‘Car Safety’ campaign will also see safety advice rolled out to parents to reduce harm to young passengers.
PCC John Campion said: “I speak regularly to residents and road safety is often a top priority. It’s a concern I share, and I am committed to playing my part to reduce the number of people seriously injured or killed on our roads.
“This is only possible with the support of local communities, so I welcome the number of applications and the creative ideas that were submitted.
“I look forward to seeing the schemes from cameras to education programmes being rolled out in the county, helping to drive change in West Mercia.”
