An online survey has given some strong pointers for the future development of the Road Safety Time Bank (Time Bank), which came into Road Safety GB ownership on 1 October.
The survey was commissioned by Road Safety GB to gauge views and opinions about the Time Bank. 138 road safety professionals completed the survey – an excellent response.
Two major issues emerged:
– A significant number of respondents felt that Time Bank membership should be available on a wider basis;
– And a significant number questioned whether the formal trading aspect of Time Bank was really necessary.
Simon Mills, project manager, said: “It is clear from the survey that we need to clarify and rethink the position with regard to Time Bank access and membership.
”While fire and police services are currently not able to join Time Bank, they can access it by agreement with their local authority road safety team.
”With regard to existing members, we will be reminding the contact person in each local authority member that it is their responsibility to ‘promote’ Time Bank to their colleagues and provide them with passwords etc.
”And with regard to wider road safety partnerships, Time Bank membership has always been open to them in their own right.”
Private sector companies/consultancies are also welcome to join Time Bank providing they are prepared to offer their expertise/services FOC.
Alan Kennedy, chair of Road Safety GB, added: “The survey has prompted much discussion about the trading element of Time Bank. No decisions have been made about this yet – all options remain open.
“Whatever we decide it is highly likely that Time Bank will be absorbed into the Road Safety GB website and given a facelift to make it more user-friendly.”
A project team has been formed to continue the review process and further progress reports will follow in due course.
Road Safety GB would like to thank everyone who completed the survey – your feedback has been invaluable.
In the meantime, for further information about Time Bank please contact Simon Mills on 01604 654305.
“Private sector companies/consultancies are also welcome to join Time Bank providing they are prepared to offer their expertise/services FOC.” This statement is, I’m afraid, not true. To my knowledge GreenSafe and TMS Consultancy have asked to join the road safety Time Bank on more than one occasion and have been turned down, despite offering to fulfill the ‘foc’ criterion.
Mike Mounfield, GreenSafe, UK
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