More than £900,000 is being invested into measures to curb harm on the roads across West Mercia, including funding to increase the size of West Mercia Police’s road safety team.
The funding has been provided by West Mercia’s police and crime commissioner, John Campion, who says “it is a sad fact that too many people die or are seriously injured on our roads”.
It includes £365,800 to increase West Mercia Police’s road safety team by 11.5 full-time officers.
The team aims to reduce collisions and casualties on the roads through speed enforcement, engineering, road safety education, training courses and awareness raising campaigns.
Measures to tackle inappropriate speed and driver behaviour will receive a boost of £150,000 – with money to increase mobile enforcement capability with the purchase of two mobile camera vans and more advanced mobile camera equipment.
There will also be additional revenue to support an increase in enforcement.
Following on from the success of Worcestershire’s A449 average speed camera scheme, there will be a rollout of average speed cameras in Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin to the tune of £400,000.
PCC John Campion said: “Investing into vital road safety measures is something I am extremely proud of, as I know it will have a direct impact on so many people’s lives.
“It is also important that this funding will ensure West Mercia Police is using the best technology available to carry out policing efficiently.
“Residents and businesses across West Mercia tell me time and time again that roads in their communities need to be safer. I understand their concerns and I continue to work closely with West Mercia Police to make sure they are addressed.”
Sorry to see that we still seem to prefer punitive measures to the rather more intelligent measure available now for capping top speeds. I suppose it’s to be expected when in a culture which doesn’t address road traffic accidents any more.
Fraser Andrew, STIRLING
0