Transport for London (TfL) and the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC) have committed to funding a support service for victims of the most serious road traffic collisions in London for three years. The contract, which begins on 1 November 2025, will be delivered by national road safety charity Brake, which runs a specialist support service for road victims across the UK, and facilitated by the Met Police. The service will play a vital role in ensuring that victims get the help and support they need following road traffic collisions involving a fatality or serious injury.
Following the success of an initial one-year pilot scheme launched in 2023, which was delivered in partnership with the victim support charity RoadPeace, TfL extended the initiative until 31 October 2025 to maximise learnings. The scheme established for the first time in London a direct police referral into support. The pilot has demonstrated the value of early and proactive intervention, connecting victims with practical, emotional and legal support tailored to their unique circumstances. An evaluation report highlighted the scheme’s positive impact, including improved access to timely, trauma-informed, face-to-face support for bereaved families and those with life-changing injuries. Service users praised the high quality of care and the simple, effective referral process.
Brake was selected through an open tender process to deliver the long-term service. The charity will provide a team of dedicated London-based caseworkers to deliver trauma-informed emotional and practical support including help navigating the justice system, advocacy, and help accessing specialist services if needed. They will work in partnership with Child Bereavement UK to provide specialist support for children and young people when someone important to them has died or is not expected to survive. Working closely with the Met, Brake will implement a direct, consent-based referral mechanism from the police into the service. This will ensure that victims continue to be connected with timely support.
This new service complements TfL’s Sarah Hope Line, which continues to provide vital support to those affected by incidents on the TfL public transport network, including the Tube, buses, Elizabeth line, London Overground, DLR and Trams. Since 2016, the Sarah Hope Line has supported hundreds of individuals, working in partnership with expert organisations to ensure access to the right help at the right time.
This initiative forms part of TfL’s wider Vision Zero commitment to eliminate death and serious injury from London’s transport network. Whilst TfL continues to work on improving the safety of the network, a strong post-collision response is crucial when the worst does happen, ensuring that victims and their families receive the care and support they need.
Claire Waxman OBE, London’s Victims’ Commissioner, said:
“Losing a loved one in a road traffic collision is a life changing experience and so many people will live with the grief for the rest of their lives. It’s vital that families receive timely, specialist support to help them navigate the trauma and complex aftermath. TfL’s new service is a crucial step forward in ensuring victims are not left to cope and recover alone, but are helped throughout the grieving process every step of the way.”
(Pic: Vesos)
