The Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) has endorsed a draft version of Greater Manchester’s Vision Zero Strategy, which also underlines the commitment to halve the number of deaths and life changing injuries by the end of this decade.
Following endorsement of the draft document, members of the public and stakeholders will now get to have their say on the strategy by responding to an online survey which will become available in the coming weeks via the GM Consult platform.
TfGM says this will help to inform the development of an action plan for implementation of the Vision Zero Strategy. The Vision Zero Strategy Action Plan will also go out for public engagement in May for around two months.
The finalised Vision Zero Strategy Action Plan will go before the GMCA for approval in November. If approved, the strategy will then be formally launched during Road Safety Week (18 – 24 November).
In the last ten years nearly 10,000 people who live in, work in or visit Greater Manchester have been killed or seriously injured on our roads. Between 2018 and 2022, pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists accounted for nearly two thirds of those killed or seriously injured, while drivers and passengers made up 34% of casualties.
In 2022, there were 71 traffic fatalities or serious injuries every month in Greater Manchester. In total 64 people were killed over the course of the year – 29 of them pedestrians – and TfGM points out each of these deaths was preventable.
Development of Greater Manchester’s Vision Zero Strategy and Action Plan is being led by the Greater Manchester Safer Roads Partnership on behalf of the GMCA. Members of the partnership include Transport for Greater Manchester, Greater Manchester Police, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, National Highways and the 10 Greater Manchester local authorities.
Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester (pictured), said: “While there was a small decline in the number of people killed and seriously injured in 2022, much more needs to be done to make Greater Manchester’s roads a safer, healthier and more sustainable place for pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists and motorists.
“Each of the 64 deaths in our city region in 2022 was preventable. They were people going about their daily lives, travelling to work, school or to see friends and family, only to never return home, and their deaths have a devastating impact for everyone involves as well as the wider community.
“I am delighted that this draft version of our Vision Zero Strategy has been backed by our leaders today, and I look forward to everyone getting to have their say on the next step in Greater Manchester’s mission to reduce the number of deaths and serious injuries on our roads.”
(Picture – TfGM)
