Meeting minutes - Road Safety Framework Local Partnership Forum - West - 21 November 2024

Attendance

Members

• George Cairns (Chair) – Glasgow City Council

• Steven Feeney (SF) – TS Road Safety Policy
• Andrew Paterson (AP) – TS Statistics
• Caroline Hay (CH) - TS Road Safety Scotland
• Lorraine Napier (LN) – Police Scotland
• Alan Bowater (AB) – Police Scotland Safety Camera Unit
• Thomas Keay (TK) – Scottish Fire and Rescue
• Fiona Cameron (FC) – North Ayrshire Council
• Gordon Leitch (GL) – Inverclyde Council
• Barbara Rae (BR) – Ayrshire Roads Alliance / East Ayrshire Council
• Simon Bradshaw (SB) – Cycling Scotland
• Colin Smith (CS) – South Lanarkshire
• Graeme McLay (GM) – East Dunbartonshire Council
• Karen McDonnell (KM) - ScORSA
• Tony Topping (TT) – Dumfries and Galloway
• Gary Wood (GW) – North Lanarkshire Council

In Attendance

• Bruce Walton (BW) - Agilysis
• Michelle Little (ML) - TS Road Safety Policy

Apologies

• Fay McNicol – Scottish Ambulance Service
• Caroline Brearley – Scottish Ambulance Service
• Gary McGregor – Falkirk Council
• Eileen Bell – Inverclyde Council
• Fiona Muir – Renfrewshire Council
• Andrew Diansangu – Renfrewshire Council
• Linda Emmery – Renfrewshire Council
• Graeme Senior – Ayrshire Roads Alliance / South Ayrshire Council 
• Stuart Watson – Argyll and Bute Council
• Ross McDowall – East Renfrewshire Council
• Ross Scullion – Inverclyde Council
• Jami Blythe – Brake

Secretariat

• Hannah Green (HG) – TS Road Safety Policy
• Hannah Wood (HW) – TS Road Safety Policy

Welcome and Introductions

The Chair welcomed members to the meeting.

Previous Minutes and Actions

The previous minutes were circulated along with the updated action log.

There was one outstanding action is for the RSIF Evaluation to be shared with members when it is published.

Feedback from Governance Groups

Activity reports were provided in the papers for all other governance groups. The following key points were highlighted:

• At the last OPG and SPB meetings it was agreed that they would now meet four times a year with two interim meetings taking place virtually between each in person meeting.
• The OPG had their first interim meeting on the 8th October and the SPB was the 30th October, and an update from each of these meetings are included in the meeting papers and the minutes will be shared in due course.
• A Communications Handling Plan has been developed to promote what is being delivered as part of the record £36m investment in road safety this year. The Plan is also there for stakeholders to promote any activity.
• A link to the His Majesty’s Inspectorate for Constabulary in Scotland (HMICS) is contained within the meeting papers. The report contains a number of recommendations.
• LN noted there are 13 recommendations and 13 areas for development, these will be progressed with internal and external partners.
• From the LPF North meeting on 14th November, Aberdeenshire Council have asked if any Local Authorities have Skid Resistance Policies in place and if so could this information be shared.

Knowledge and Data Analysis

Update on 2030 targets and localised stats

The national casualty reduction targets as well as the mode and user specific targets for 2030 were presented, broken down into local authority areas. Finalised figures from the Reported Road Casualties Scotland 2023 publication published in October were shared. It was noted that these have not changed a lot compared to the provisional figures published in the Key Reported Road Casualties 2023 in May.

On a national scale:

• Fatalities went down from 171 to 155 (9%)
• Serious injuries went up by 9%
• Slight injuries went up by 1%
• Total casualties went up from 5643 to 5829 (3%). This is the third consecutive year we have seen an increase.

Stats specific to LPF West:

• Fatalities went down from 70 to 64 (9%)
• Serious injuries went up by 13%
• Slight injuries went up by 7%
• Total casualties went up from 2,437 to 2,638 (8%)

National casualty reduction target for the West:

• 50% reduction in people killed - 64 - Not on track
• 50% reduction in people seriously injured - 876 - Not on track
• 60% reduction in children killed - 4 - Not on track
• 60% reduction in children seriously injured - 92 - Not on track

Key Themes: Motorcycles and Vulnerable Road Users

The Chair noted that the in depth analysis of motorcycle collisions over the past 4 years, and the contributory factors, was undertaken and has been shared with members.

The Chair advised Glasgow City Council have run a Think Bike campaign, with a focus on junctions and includes not only motorcycles but pedal cycles and e-bikes. This was due to a number of fatalities across the area.

SF asked what other members have been done to enhance the safety of motorcyclists.

BR advised each year they run a motorcycle training day, this years training day was held in Kilmarnock and next year it is due to run in Ayr. Working in partnership with other members, the day offers an observe ride, slow manoeuvre exercises along with presentation on advance riding.

GW noted that North Lanarkshire no longer have a road safety educational function within the service, going forward will be purely comms for example sharing the national campaigns.

CH asked for an update on the implementation of guidance of PRIME markings for Local Authorities. HW confirmed the guidance is not yet available, when it guidance is published it will be shared with members.

LN advised that Rider Refinement has now been launched in the West with events taking place during the summer months. LN is due to discuss with Ally Johnson about what can be done in Lanarkshire with regards to Rider Refinement. LN noted that Police Scotland are also working with SHARP Motorcycle Helmet Safety as a number of fatalities involving motorcyclist have included ill fitted or improperly fastened helmets.

FC asked if Biker Down could be brought to Ayrshire. TK Biker Down is predominately run from Motherwell with events also in East Kilbride. Biker Down is a voluntary project but there is an aim to have it brought to Ayrshire. There is also an initiative running in conjunction with Stenna Line.

SF asked how can safety cameras be used in short term deployments in areas with arising motorcycle problems.

AB advised the safety camera vans can be used in 1 month or 3 month durations, with extensions available if problems persist. There is also the mobile average speed cameras which were deployed on the A82 over the summer months. The cameras on the A82 will be moving to a new location but awaiting confirmation from Local Authorities before that information can be shared.

The Chair advised that should any members wish to join the other Key Priority Groups they should note their interest with Hannah W in the first instance. The Key Priority Groups will action the recommendations from the in depth fatalities report.

Road Safety Framework Fund

Framework Fund 2025/26

HW advised that, subject to budgetary approval, TS are hoping to run another round of funding for the Road Safety Framework Fund next year and will contact partners once the funding is live. The aim is to initiate successful projects at the start of the 2025/26 financial year. It was noted that this is a resource only fund with infrastructure projects not being considered. There is a link within the meeting paper to the evaluations of previously funded projects.

Partner Updates

The Chair noted that majority of members had provided a written update that had been shared with the papers however invited members to provide anything further as verbal update:

Glasgow City Council

• Work is ongoing for the city wide mandatory 20 mph zone, which should be in place 2025/26, the rollout will start with areas with the highest collisions.
• The speeding campaign with Go Safe Glasgow Partnership was successful.
• Developed an E-bike leaflet.
• Agilysis completed research for GCC into road safety casualties and areas of deprivation.
• In the Dark – Drive Smart work ongoing, with the creation of several short films.

North Ayrshire Council

• Continuing iCycle training programme.
• Hosted a young drivers event in partnership with Police Scotland in Kilwinning.
• Applied for Road Safety Funds for a number of projects.
• Held a joint Ayrshire JRSO day.
• Continuing the development of an early years project for active travel.
• Be Bright Be Seen Day across Ayrshire is happening on 22^nd

Ayrshire Roads Alliance / East Ayrshire Council

• Hosted a Fit for the Road experienced driver event in Largs.
• JRSO Seminar was held in September.
• Held a young driver event in November in partnership with Police Scotland, Road Policing and Scottish Fire and Rescue.
• Delivered a number of presentations in November to several local groups.
• Bikeability instructor training and assisting in delivery.
• Road safety mitigation measures have been installed on the B742 & B7045 crossroad junction near Mable.
• Undertaking high friction surface works this week at several locations including the A71.
• In March South Ayrshire will be hosting a young driver event for S6s.
• On the 18^th May there will be a motorcycle event held at Ayrshire Collage.

South Lanarkshire Council

• Through the Road Safety Improvement Fund works have been ongoing across several locations.
• Ongoing proposals for the implementation of 20 mph, the mapping work is being undertaken on a town by town basis.
• Working on and enforcement strategy with regard to Pavement Parking, which is due to go to committee shortly.
• Installed several bicycle and scooter parking at a number of schools and one town centre location.
• Promotion of walk to school week and provided classroom packs to 68 schools.
• Working towards to completion of AiP works which are underway, in the coming months there will also be the annual AiP investigations.
• There has been a decision taken to reduce secondary school transport therefore work on walking routes to schools will need to be undertaken.
• There has been two pilots for car free zones, these have now been evaluated and concluded and now looking to implement more car free zones in the future.

Scottish Fire and Rescue

• Due to the scale and variety of works that have been and will be undertaken by Scottish Fire and Rescue a document was shared with members during the meeting detailing the various projects.

Police Scotland

• An update was given on the statistics from April 2024.
• Continuing with national calendar of road safety activity.
• Enforcement activity including producing guidance for divisional staff with regards to e-bikes.
• A day of action with the Motor Insurance Bureo, which detected a number of drivers with no insurance.
• Continuing with the new driver early intervention scheme for those between the ages of 17 and 25.
• Currently within the brake road safety week.
• There are a number of national campaigns running until the end of the year, including the festive Drink and Drug campaign.

• Work has been undertaken in relation to the rebranding, various comms work based on changing the perception of the Safety Camera Unit. There has been a noted increase in positive perception and understanding.
• Continued enforcement throughout the West Region, with new cameras being installed at various locations.
• The initial phase of site selection work is underway and the selected Local Authorities will be contacted in due course.
• It is to be noted that at sites where there are dormant (bagged) cameras there has been permanent change made to driver behaviour.
• Update provided on the 14 new electric vans, these vans will be utilising a new camera system which will be able to provide various types of evidence i.e videos and pictures of drivers. 6 of the new vans will be deployed within the West and should be rolled out by the end of the year.

Transport Scotland – Road Safety Policy

• To note there will be a Road Safety question will be asked at First Minister Questions today.
• The Cabinet Secretary for Transport will be providing a key note address, where there will be an update on the National Speed Management Review along with an announcement.

Cycling Scotland

• Bikeability programme – published an article highlighting the results of last year.
• Work undertaken in previous months in relation to the grant funding for individual Local Authorities and now continuing into the delivery phase.
• A research document has been published by TRL on the effectiveness of Bikeability and promoting road safety.
• Practical Cycle Awareness training to be delivered to interested parties.
• Cycling Scotland Conference was held last month.

East Dunbartonshire Council

• The trial for traffic free school has now been completed with a 75% reduction in traffic around schools, this is now going to be brought to committee to implement on a permanent basis and extending.
• Continuing works on 20 mph roll out, plans for a public consultation are being progressed.
• Road Safety Improvement Fund – Mobile VMS have been purchased and will be placed at various accident sites across the area.
• Project to improve active travel is underway, part of that will see the introduction of a 30 mph speed limit.
• A number of schools are taking part within the JRSO scheme.

Inverclyde Council

• Promotion of walking to school on Wednesdays.
• Road Safety Improvement Fund – Installed VMS along the main road in Gourock.
• Improvements being made at a number of junctions within the area.
• Engaged with 32 high schools with new driver input.
• Work is ongoing in partnership with University Highlands and Island for a planned for Student demo in the new year.
• Highland Road casualty reduction group liaison continues with potential discussion around RTC investigation trend analysis
• Biker down prep continues/rider refinement partnership continues.
• Inverness Station held an Open Day RTC Demo and Road Safety chat to approx. 900 people.

ScORSA

• Have delivered the third webinar in a series of six for this year, each with different themes. The recordings of these webinars are available on the website. Further webinars will be held in February and May.
• Research is being conducted with regard to the in depth fatality data from a work place perspective.
• Hosting an in person event in Edinburgh on 20^th March 2025.
• Will be presenting at a number of events in the coming months.
• Launched a call for National Accident Prevention Strategy at Westminster, this will look at accident in there entirety.

North Lanarkshire Council

• Focusing on key themes and priorities such as part-time 20 mph speed limits arounds schools being finalised along with the work on the implementation of 20 mph across the area.
• Work is ongoing in regards to the enforcement of pavement parking.
• Conducting school walking assessments due to changes in school transport policies.
• AIP – a site on the A73, with construction works due to commence in January which is for junction improvements, along with design works for two additional sites.
• AW noted that everything had been included in the written update shared with partners prior to the meeting however asked if any other Local Authorities had a skid resistance policy in place that could be shared.

Dumfries and Galloway

• Main priority has been 20 mph speed limits, the programme for primary school is now in place with all schools having either permanent or part-time speed limits.
• Progressing with the communities 20 mph programme.
• AIP – various schemes have been identified along with additional funding from Road Safety Improvement Fund.
• Application for Decriminalised Parking Enforcement in conjunction with pavement parking ban.
• The Road Safety Partnership held a Road Safety Roadshow in Dumfries in September, aims to hold another event in the west region.
• Winter events will be held in the west region in the coming weeks.
• The Road Safety Partnership are looking to include timber transport and farming community representatives at the next meeting.
• Undertaken cross-border work with Scottish Borders Council who are looking to implement a 50 mph temporary traffic road order on the A708, due to collision statistics.

Road Safety Scotland (RSS)

• Go Safe with Ziggy is going on tour, visiting ELCs with a focus in areas of deprivation. Some of these areas are within the West and RSS will be in contact with the Local Authorities in due course.
• Provided an updated on all campaigns being undertaken up to the end of the year.
• In conjunction with Good Egg Safety, Road Safety Scotland are offering 100 fully funded places to people within the road safety field to attend a two day advanced child car seat training courses. These courses will be held in December, January, February and two in March with 20 places available at each.
• RSS are working on developing current resources as well as developing two new resources. A delivery plan for these resources to be implemented into schools will be created and CH noted it would be useful to confirm appropriate contacts for each Local Authority area to assist with implementing these resources into schools once they are available.
• An educational expert is creating content for lessons plans for secondary school resource project and CH will be creating a temporary working group to review this material and invited members to join this.
• RSS annual seminar will take place on 26 March 2025 at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre.

MAST Presentation

Bruce Walton from Agilysis provided a demonstration to members on how to use MAST. MAST provides an analysis on road safety data from the perspective of people and communities.

All members have free access to MAST through Transport Scotland Road Safety. MAST training courses are due to be organised shortly and members will be informed of the dates. There are online training modules available, however the curriculum is due to be revamped.

Create a log in for MAST

Any Other Business and Next Meeting

The Chair thanked members for attending and confirmed that the next meeting will be held in July 2025 and a calendar invite will be circulated to members.