News for 2007
02 Apr 2007 - SAFER ROADS PARTNERSHIP IN WEST MERCIA LAUNCHED
As of April 1st 2007 a new Safer Roads Partnership in West Mercia is formed which will not only take over the previous Safety Camera Partnership's operations but will also work with other agencies in developing broader casualty reduction and road safety activities.
Initially the main focus of the SRP will be to build on the highly successful work previously done by the Safety Camera Partnership across the region; but longer-term the Partnership will be working even more closely with its members to identify and address wider road safety issues. This will include building stronger links with local Council road safety teams to tackle specific problems by working together on a range of projects and campaigns.
Although the previous national rules and guidelines have now been withdrawn, the new Partnership has made it clear that safety camera enforcement will continue to be visible and conspicuous, at locations which have been selected primarily upon the basis of casualties arising from unnecessary and avoidable collisions.
Speaking about the new arrangements, Partnership Manager Trevor McAvoy explained: “These are exciting times for us and we are looking forward to being a part of a wider road safety partnership. In the past, Central Government has restricted our operations to enforcement, but now that our work is being re-integrated into mainstream casualty reduction and road safety activity we have a great opportunity to take a broader view of and approach to the problems, forming deeper and stronger working relationships with our partners.
“The Partnership will continue to be data led and operationally targeted, with the local highway authorities now having a new higher profile in guiding and funding our work. As before, we will be operating to agreed guidelines because we believe that is the right and proper way to carry out the work which has proved so successful in the past.”
13 Mar 2007 - TWO NEW CAMERA SITES IN REDDITCH NOW IN OPERATION
The West Mercia Safety Camera Partnership has warned motorists that new safety camera sites on Alders Drive in Redditch and Evesham Road, Astwood Bank are now in operation.
During the three years up to the end of May 2006, there were 10 collisions involving personal injury (PIC’s), 2 of which were in the killed or seriously injured category (KSI’s), on a stretch of Alders Drive less than one kilometre long. In the two years previous to that period, there had been a further 11 PIC’s, including a further KSI, indicating an ongoing collision problem on this road.
Speed data gathered showed 57% of vehicles were found to be exceeding the 40mph speed limit with 15% of vehicles exceeding 47mph.
Meanwhile, on Evesham Road, in the 3 year period from 1st June 2003 to 31st May 2006, there were 6 personal injury collisions (PIC’s), 2 of which were in the 'killed or seriously injured' (KSI) category, on a stretch of one kilometre. In addition, there had also been a further KSI in the 2 years prior to that. Speed data again demonstrated the problems on this route, with 44% of vehicles found to be exceeding the 30 mph speed limit with 15% of vehicles travelling at over 36 mph.
Chris Ammonds, Communications Manager for the Safety Camera Partnership in West Mercia said:
“We are extremely pleased that we have been able to extend our activities in Redditch to cover these two new sites and we hope that, by starting enforcement, motorists will become more aware of the speed they are travelling at and ensure they are driving within the limit.
“These two roads have long been a cause of concern to local residents and we are confident that our presence will make them a far safer place for motorists and pedestrians alike.”
23 Feb 2007 - 'ROCKET' RON DRAWS THE WINNING TICKET
Motorcycle legend ‘Rocket’ Ron Haslam made one biker’s day when he announced him as the winner of a £250 track day at Donington Race Track.
Aptly named, Martin Winning, of Cheadle, Stoke on Trent, will now learn advanced riding skills and techniques during a half-day training course with Ron’s very own race school on a date of his choice.
The four-times British champion drew out Mr Winning’s ticket after he entered a competition run by the Midlands Safety Camera Partnerships (including the West Mercia Safety Camera Partnership), at the NEC Motorcycle and Scooter Show, last November.
Ron, and his son Leon Haslam, who is a current British Superbike star, have shown continued support for safety cameras and have backed MSCP at two motorcycle events in the last few months.
The partnerships regularly attend motorcycle shows and events with a hard-hitting exhibition stand, to warn bikers of the dangers of riding at excessive and inappropriate speeds.
Speaking of his support for MSCP, Ron said:
“Riding safely is vital – no matter how much experience you have. It is so important to be aware of your speed and the dangers around you, whether you are on the road or on the track.
“I am pleased to support an initiative that encourages bikers to enjoy what they do, but keep themselves and others safe.”
Rebecca Hampson, of the Midlands Safety Camera Partnerships said:
“We are so grateful to Ron and Leon for their continued support for safety cameras and for our motorcycle safety campaign.
“We are delighted to be able to work so closely with two such well-respected and highly regarded motorcyclists.
“We would like to thank Mr Winning for entering our competition, and we hope that he has an enjoyable time at his Donington Park track day.”
22 Jan 2007 - JOINT VENTURE TO PROMOTE ROAD SAFETY AWARENESS
The West Mercia Safety Camera Partnership has teamed up with Bridgnorth District Community Safety Partnership and the Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service (www.shropshirefire.gov.uk) in a joint road safety venture which entails displaying road safety messages on Bridgnorth District Council refuse collections vehicles and town council utility vehicles.
The venture is seen as an important step forward in promoting road safety through hard hitting advertising campaigns and the three organisations involved are delighted that they have been able to work together to make the venture possible.
District Fire Officer Jim Quinn explained:
“Last year Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service attended more than 350 road traffic collisions in which there were 17 deaths and 121 casualties. Much of our time is now spent at road crashes across the county and we want to get the message across to Shropshire motorists that they must take more care on our roads’.
Councillor John Hurst-Knight, Chairman of Bridgnorth District Community Safety Partnership and a member of the Shropshire and Wrekin Fire Authority, also outlined his reasons for backing the campaign:
‘This venture will support the Fire Authority’s road safety strategy and enhance the work of partner organisations in reducing road deaths and injuries’.
Meanwhile, Trevor McAvoy, Project Manager for the Safety Camera Partnership in West Mercia, expressed his pleasure at linking up with the two other organisations on this project.
“We are delighted to be a part of this venture and are grateful for the opportunity to show our support for this campaign. The adverts used have been extremely successful when used elsewhere and the chance to have them emblazoned on additional vehicles is too good to turn down.
“We are confident that they get the road safety message across in a clear and thought provoking way and are hopeful that we will be able to form further partnerships of this sort in the future.”
10 Jan 2007 - NEW CAMERA SITE IN REDDITCH SET TO GO ‘LIVE’
The West Mercia Safety Camera Partnership today warned motorists that a new safety camera site on Bromsgrove Road in Redditch will be going live in the next few days.
During the three years up to the end of May 2006, there were 7 collisions involving personal injury (PIC’s), 2 of which were in the killed or seriously injured category (KSI’s). In the two years previous to that period, there had been a further 3 PIC’s, including 2 KSI’s, indicating an ongoing collision problem on the road.
Speed data gathered in June 2006 showed 77% of vehicles exceeding the 30mph speed limit with more than 15% of vehicles exceeding 40 mph.
Speeding contributes to 36,000 serious injuries and 3,000 deaths on Britain’s roads each year. Many of these collisions are avoidable and the severity would certainly be reduced if motorists were to slow down.
Chris Ammonds, Communications Manager for the Safety Camera Partnership in West Mercia said:
“We are extremely pleased that we have been able to extend our activities in Redditch to cover this new site and we hope that, by starting enforcement at this site, motorists will become more aware of the speed they are travelling at and ensure they are driving within the limit.
“The results of speed data showing that three quarters of vehicles were exceeding the speed limit are totally unacceptable and we are confident the new site will help reduce speeds and collisions on this road.”