Local Activity
Local Activity
Road Safety North East Scotland
Road Safety Priorities
Road Safety North East Scotland supports the delivery of the various priorities identified in each of our three local authority road safety plans but, unfortunately, because of Covid-19 related restrictions and related work most of our anticipated activities were paused during 2020.
Initiatives
2020 saw very limited partnership-based road safety activities because of the Covid-19 related restrictions. Planned initiatives based around motorcyclists and young drivers did not occur and several of our regular meetings were cancelled due to partnership staff being deployed to other duties.
In 2019, Transport Scotland awarded funding to RSNES and Robert Gordon University to undertake research into motorcycle safety in North East Scotland. Planned activities including face-to-face interviews with motorcyclists were cancelled due to Covid-19; however, other approaches were used including electronic surveys from which various responses were received. Motorcycle safety remains an issue of local concern and it was noteworthy that for the first time in many years, there were no motorcycle fatalities on North East roads during 2020; Covid-19 related travel restrictions likely featured as one of the key reasons behind this statistic. As restrictions are now easing, it is hoped to conclude the research during 2021.
Activities/campaigns – that your organisation has been involved in
December 2020 saw the launch of the annual winter pedestrian safety campaign, working in conjunction with NESTRANS – the North East Scotland Transport Partnership. This information-based campaign coincides with anticipated local increases in pedestrian casualties which normally occur over the winter months.
Media adverts highlighting pedestrian vulnerability were produced and circulated through a range of mediums. These included radio adverts, social media platforms and the local partnership transport-focused website 'GetAbout', which promotes healthy and sustainable transport choices for people travelling within Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire.
Reflecting on RSF2030, what are your objectives and priorities for 2021?
On a local basis and with hopefully fewer Covid-19-related restrictions in the year ahead, the primary RSNES objective will be to support the three local authorities and partners with the delivery of road safety across North East Scotland. This coincides with the arrival of the new national Road Safety Framework which provides the strategic backdrop upon which to focus our activities on.
The establishment of Local Partnership Forums as part of the national road safety governance structure should enable a wider, regional approach to road safety; it should also improve the information flow in both directions between national road safety resources and those engaged with the local delivery.
Our local road safety priorities will be developed by the three North East local authorities and refreshed local road safety plans are already being prepared to meet the challenges faced in the decade ahead.
It is recognised that road use as we currently know it may look considerably different in the years ahead. Autonomous vehicles, electronic collision avoidance systems, increases in sustainable travel, e-scooters and alternative fuel-powered vehicles are but a few of the changes we may encounter over the next decade, with most having some implications on road safety. We need to be alert to these changes and ensure that our road safety approach remains flexible to meet new developments.
Major successes and challenges over the 10 years of the 2020 Framework?
Road casualties in North East Scotland have seen significant reductions over the past decade and by any standards or criteria, this must be the greatest success.
The question which is then regularly asked and is 'why have these reductions occurred?'
This is challenging to answer with the reasons probably coming from a variety of factors.
Looking at our local successes over the past decade, we developed the Road Safety North East Scotland approach and now have a well-established two-tier operating model which involves the key partners involved in the delivery of local road safety.
While that affords us the benefits of a robust operating structure, we have also faced challenges in terms of fewer resources and reduced road safety activity in a practical context. Interestingly, despite these challenges, road casualties have continued to fall locally which is an interesting fact to consider when contemplating future road safety activity and the use of available resources.
Dumfries and Galloway Council
Road Safety Priorities
Dumfries and Galloway Council – Local Roads Authority:
- Accident/casualty reduction
- Review of speed limits/speed management in towns and villages – increase the proportion of vehicles travelling at appropriate speeds on our local roads to support reducing road casualty numbers
- Improve local road network safety – maintain and undertake improvements to protect against accidents and injuries and create a safe local road network for all road users
- Safer Active Travel – protect vulnerable user groups
Initiatives
Road Safety Programme – we undertake an annual Accident Investigation and Prevention (AIP) programme to identify sites and implement road safety improvement schemes at known collision hot-spots.
Speed Limits and Traffic Calming Programme – speed limit reviews/traffic data surveys at specific locations following reports/requests from Police Scotland/local communities, introduction of 20 mph speed limits, traffic calming/speed reduction measures.
Roads and Infrastructure Capital Programme – road maintenance/improvement schemes including carriageway surfacing works, drainage, lighting, traffic signs and road markings, verge clearance which all contribute to the road safety effort.
Active Travel Programme – new/improved active travel infrastructure, making it safer for those who choose to walk, cycle or wheel.
Activities/campaigns – that your organisation has been involved in
Council promoted and were involved with 'Road Safety Week' in November 2020 which was co-ordinated/organised by the road safety charity 'Brake'.
The theme was 'No Need to Speed'. The formula is simple: the higher the speed, the longer the stopping distance and the harder the crash and the greater the risk of death and injury. 'No Need to Speed' was a reminder to everyone of how the speed they travel affects other people.
This was shared on various social media including council Facebook, Dumfries and Galloway What's Going On, and Dumfries and Galloway Road Safety Partnership.
Council ran a social media campaign entitled 'Slow Down During Lockdown' in April 2020. The message was:
'Unnecessary travel and speeding on our roads during coronavirus lockdown is irresponsible and puts unnecessary pressure on the NHS and emergency services.
'With only essential travel permitted, our key workers are walking and cycling to work – so do not put them at greater risk by unnecessary travel and driving too fast!
'Basically, no one should be travelling on the roads unless they are making an absolutely essential journey, and that journey should be safe and under the speed limit. "Think Before You Drive."'
Website dedicated to road safety
Dumfries and Galloway Council do not have a dedicated website to road safety, but the following link does provide details of the Dumfries and Galloway Road Safety Partnership:
Implementing engineering schemes or changes to infrastructure
- Road maintenance/improvement schemes across the region including surfacing works, pot hole repairs, patching works, drainage, traffic signs and road markings, verge/vegetation clearance which all contribute to the road safety effort
- Speed limit reviews/traffic data surveys at specific locations following reports/requests from Police Scotland/local communities
- 20 mph speed limit schemes implemented in Kelloholm and Moniaive
- Design of a temporary 20 mph speed limit scheme for Dumfries town centre (implemented in March 2021) as part of Sustrans 'Spaces for People' programme
- Road Safety Programme – the annual Accident Investigation and Prevention (AIP) programme 2020/21 identified 7 No. sites for road safety improvement measures (4 No. in Stewartry, 3 No. in Annandale and Eskdale)
Successes or lessons learned
Accident statistics not yet available for 2020, therefore difficult to quantify any accident/injury reduction successes.
Working with local communities in funding, procuring and installing new Vehicle Activated Signs (VAS).
Continuation with 20 mph speed limit programme, taking a holistic approach to consider wider community and roads in the vicinity of key facilities, such as schools, hospitals and medical centres.
Road Safety improvement schemes across region, targeting areas with history of accidents/collisions.
Improved use of social media in advertising and promoting schemes, initiatives and campaigns.
Reflecting on RSF2030, what are your objectives and priorities for 2021?
Road Safety Programme 2021/22:
- Accident Investigation and Prevention (AIP) programme
- Minor works (localised road safety improvement measures)
These align with the following RSF2030 outcomes:
- Safe road use
- Safe roads and roadsides
The annual Road Safety Programme on average delivers five road safety improvement schemes in the region, targeting locations with a history of injury accidents/collisions, to improve the road environment with appropriate engineering measures to reduce the risk of an accident/collision and injury severity.
Speed Limits and Traffic Calming Programme 2021/22
Dumfries and Galloway Council operate an annual committee-approved Speed Limits and Traffic Calming Programme. As a result of a recent Roads Service Review, a new recommendation is to develop the strategy and programme to deliver 20 mph schemes:
- Review existing commitments, 20 mph policy and prioritisation list and prepare new speed limit/review strategy
- Develop future programme for 20 mph schemes and present to the Road Safety Partnership and relevant community and council decision-making bodies
- Review selection, prioritisation, community engagement and TRO processes
Urban locations with an injury accident record involving pedestrians and cyclists are the main priority followed by the conclusion of the programme of 20 mph speed limit provision at all schools in the region.
These align with the following RSF2030 outcomes:
- Safe road use
- Safe roads and roadsides
- Safe speeds
20 mph and other reduced speed limits are gaining popularity for towns, villages, urban/residential areas, schools etc and contribute to a wide range of safety, environment, health and behavioural change positive improvements.
Major successes and challenges over the 10 years of the 2020 Framework?
Successes:
- Partnership approach which led to the formation of the Dumfries and Galloway Road Safety Partnership – bringing together partner organisations from across the region with one aim: to reduce the number of people who are killed or injured on the roads in Dumfries and Galloway
- Strategic Delivery Plan was used to create a Strategic Road Safety Plan for D&G Road Safety Partnership
- Road Safety Targets to 2020 – the council's annual Road Safety Programme has delivered numerous schemes across the region which have significantly improved road safety at known collision 'hot-spots'
- Speed Limits and Traffic Calming Programme aligns with the speed outcome, to increase the proportion of vehicles travelling at appropriate speeds on Scotland's roads to support reducing road casualty numbers; increase in schools, new developments, and residential areas with 20 mph speed limits
Challenges:
- Adopting and tailoring national strategies to a local level with regards to a rural local authority with a variety of road users – agricultural, timber, commercial, public transport, tourists/visitors, locals, walkers and cyclists etc
- Limited council capital road safety budget, therefore focus on reactive rather than preventative measures
- Commitments from D&G Road Safety Partnership to delivering the 5 E's
- Local road safety resources/budgets
- UK Government spending review and delivery of public services
- Rural region – reliance on motorised vehicles as primary form of travel
Other key points
- Road safety campaigns not just for central belt (ie. TV campaigns only shown on STV)
- Improved collaboration between trunk roads (TS) and Local Roads Authorities/regional partnerships
- Share/communicate schemes, initiatives, road infrastructure/engineering solutions that work well; there is not enough 'sharing information' between Transport Scotland and Local Authorities/regional partnerships
- Sub-divide Scottish road safety into trunk roads, urban, residential, rural – what works best in these areas to improve road safety and reduce collisions/injury severity
- Local Roads Authorities to be considered/invited to national events/training/workshops etc.
Aberdeen City Council
Road Safety Priorities
To encourage sustainable and safe transport systems for all road users.
During the Covid-19 period, there was an unexpected opportunity to amend our networks to focus on active travel options, supporting our citizens to access their local areas safely and confidently. Monitoring of these interventions will provide valuable, useful feedback for future endeavours of a similar form.
Identifying what worked well and what lead to challenges and conflicts will help shape future networks.
Prior to Covid-19, road collisions and casualties had a sustained period of reduction, so something appears to be working well.
Challenges: there has been a gap in Scottish road safety communication between what is discussed and agreed at a national level and how that is communicated to those involved in front line delivery. On a local basis, we are well served by updates from Road Safety Scotland, but strategic decision-making and policy information updates from Transport Scotland (i.e. Strategic Partnership Board/Operational Partnership Group) have previously been limited in nature.
Initiatives
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic's impact on school accessibility and learning processes, the educational elements listed below that would usually go ahead, were put on hold.
- Alan's road safety magic show specially designed show to present key road safety messages to children in Primary 1, 2 and 3 in a fun and entertaining way
- Road Safety Scotland Curriculum for Excellence provides road safety learning at every level, engaging children and young people
- Crash Live – Scottish Fire & Rescue Service aimed at all ages involving firefighters and police officers talking through the difficult work they carry out at the scene of a road traffic collision with a 'live' simulation of the aftermath of a serious road traffic collision for visual knowledge
- Bikeability is a cycling programme to give children the practical skills and understanding on how to cycle safely. It builds skills and confidence for all kinds of cycling. Many schools within Aberdeen take part in this training with specific focus around Primary 6 year groups. Safe Drive Stay Alive is a live show aimed at 16/17 year olds featuring those parties actively involved in RTC
Road Safety Scotland works to promote awareness of road safety issues in Scotland. Seasonal campaigns are held.
Car seat clinics are held throughout the year to check and advise on the fitting of child safety seats; however, these were moved online as a pilot project with 10 consultations in a day.
Activities/campaigns – that your organisation has been involved in
ACC Marketing campaigns for road safety:
- Funded I Bike officer, employed by Sustrans, to work with the Aberdeen Grammar School Associated
- School Group during the 2020-21 academic year; however, much of this work was put on hold throughout the lockdown/pandemic
Living Streets Travel tracker will run in 10 schools this year.
Climate change mitigation and adaptation modelling work is being undertaken with SEPA
Website dedicated to road safety
Implementing engineering schemes or changes to infrastructure
Proactive addressing of concerns:
With minimal recording of damage-only incidents, and the successful resolution of the most significant areas of concern, route risk mapping can identify hazards and minimise risk, protecting travellers and reducing damage to infrastructure.
As part of the Spaces for People project several schemes were introduced over summer 2020 which reduced through traffic and set road space over to pedestrians and cyclists in Aberdeen City Centre and adjacent communities.
These are detailed on our website at:
https://www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/services/coronavirus-covid-19/spaces-people-including-city-centre
Footway extension on Bon Accord Street near a primary school to assist in reducing vehicular speeds and improving pedestrian crossing opportunities. Installed January 2021.
Successes or lessons learned
The majority of effort this year has been allocated to Spaces for People projects. The pandemic and lockdowns have changed the travel patterns and modes of pedestrian and cycle interventions at Union Street, West End, Rosemount, Victoria Street (Torry) and George Street. Plus, Active Travel Corridor at Aberdeen Beach.
The Active Travel Corridor measures at Aberdeen Beach are currently being reduced following a council committee decision.
Amendments have been carried out throughout the development and post implementation of the majority of the schemes following stakeholder feedback and engagement.
Monitoring of the measures installed during the pandemic has shown a reduction in road traffic and changes to traffic patterns. There are no longer pronounced AM or PM peaks, with traffic volumes being reduced and levelled out throughout the day.
Following the first national lockdown, vehicle traffic for the week commencing 30 March 2020, at the monitored sites, dropped to 31% of the average levels experienced in March 2019. Since then, after an initial decrease, traffic levels had been on an upward trend. However, following the reintroduction of more stringent social distancing measures by the Scottish Government from the beginning of 2021, average daily traffic levels in February 2021 have decreased to 57% of the levels experienced in February 2019. The monthly increase in vehicle traffic from January 2021 was 10%.
A comparison with February 2019 shows the current daily number of pedestrians, for the sites monitored, is at 187% of the levels recorded in January 2019. This significant increase in pedestrian numbers is a result of much greater levels of recreational walking than is usual for this time of year, at sites like Duthie Park, Seaton Park and the Beach Esplanade. A comparison with February 2019 shows the current daily number of cycle users, for the sites monitored, has fallen to 87% of the levels recorded in February 2019. It is anticipated this drop in cycle numbers is due to the climatic conditions throughout February 2021. (Data for March 2021 shows a level of 122% of March 2019 levels.)
Reflecting on RSF2030, what are your objectives and priorities for 2021?
It has been recognised that most impactive benefits have already been made through work undertaken in previous years.
Protecting road users from miscalculations or momentary lapses is a challenging focus and we may have to be realistic about both interim and long-term target achievement given the types of collision which remain to be addressed.
With the levelling off of national and local incident rates, future reductions will not come without considerable effort and financial cost. Considerable investment is required both in our existing and developing infrastructure, along with education and significant vehicle-based safety technology.
Major successes and challenges over the 10 years of the 2020 Framework?
As casualty reduction levels reduce; trends and patterns become more challenging to identify; the fact that regional/national trends or patterns cannot be seen or considered by local groups/partnerships is viewed as a shortcoming.
Angus Council
Road Safety Priorities
Key road safety priorities were the implementation of infrastructure measures to encourage greater walking and cycling throughout the coronavirus pandemic by bidding for funding from the Scottish Government's Spaces for People fund and the installation of new and upgraded footway/cycle paths within Angus through the CWSR scheme. All previous road safety priorities had to be put on hold until the lockdown restrictions allowed works to be progressed.
Initiatives
In 2020 Angus Council was involved in the following road safety initiatives:
Spaces for People
- Implementation of temporary 20 mph speed limits in the 7 town centres within Angus and covering 25 villages
- Installation of vehicle activated signage to reinforce the new temporary 20 mph speed limits in 25 villages in Angus
- Installation of cycle shelters within the town centres
- Installation of physical interventions (mainly signs and stickers) at primary and secondary schools throughout Angus
Cycling, Walking and Safer Routes (CWSR):
- Upgrade of an existing footpath within Forfar Country Park
- Upgrade of an existing footpath at Braefoot, Carnoustie – route to school
- Installation of a new footpath/cycleway at Marine Drive, Monifieth
- Drainage improvement to footpath at Monifieth High School
- Footway/Cycleway improvement at Broomfield, Montrose
- Design of new pedestrian crossing on Westway, Arbroath – installed 2021
Activities/campaigns – that your organisation has been involved in
- Get on the Go Campaign 2020/21 – social media campaign in conjunction with our neighbouring local authorities to promote and support the its success of its wider Smarter Choices Smarter Places programme as well as active and sustainable travel initiatives
- Bike Recycling Support & Regional Community Engagement Programme 2020/21 – supporting Angus Cycle Hud CIC to extend and deliver the current bike recycling programme operating in Angus and the development of a community engagement programme and incentive scheme to encourage people to cycle more
- Park Smarter Campaign 2020/21 – delivery of a campaign to help reduce road safety risks and local traffic congestion caused by parent/carers driving primary school children to school and parking too close to the school gates
- Active Travel and on Bus Safety Workshops 2020/21 – workshops for P7 pupils to help promote independent active travel for pupils making the transition from primary to secondary school
Implementing engineering schemes or changes to infrastructure
In 2020, Angus Council implemented the following road safety engineering schemes:
- Arbroath West Links NCR1: Path Upgrade – Feb 2020
- Carnoustie to East Haven Cycle Path: Barrier Upgrade – Feb 2020
- Checkiefield: Footpath Upgrade – Feb 2020
- Ashludie Park, Monifieth: Footpath Upgrade – Mar 2020
- Craig o' Loch Road, Forfar: Dropped Kerb Installation – Mar 2020
- Traill Drive, Montrose: Traffic Calming Installation – Feb 2020
- Hayswell Road, Arbroath: Installation of traffic calming measures & a one-way traffic management system – Feb 2020
- Spaces for People Initiatives: Installation of temporary 20 mph speed limits, installation of physical measures outside schools and installation of cycle shelters – Jun-Dec 2020
Successes or lessons learned
Our planned works/initiative that we had for 2020 were severely hindered by the coronavirus and the implementation of the lockdowns. Our priority had to shift to the installation of Spaces for People infrastructure measures. The success of the implementation of the temporary 20 mph speed limits in the 7 town centres and 25 villages was hindered by the high demand for the supply and manufacture of signs and the implications that the lockdown and self-isolation rules affected resources.
Angus Council has successfully been able to maintain a high level of service by its roads staff through the pandemic, with all staff working from home and being supplied with suitable resources in order to work agilely.
Reflecting on RSF2030, what are your objectives and priorities for 2021?
One of the key priorities for 2021 of our Road Safety Member Officer Working Group (MOWG), is to produce a new Road Safety Delivery Plan towards 2030. The MOWG is also looking to review the council's speed limit strategy, winter services and public transport services in 2021.
Another priority is the implementation of school exclusion zones at three primary schools within Angus for a trial period.
The thirty-two 20 mph speed limit areas that were installed through 2020/21 will require to be monitored throughout the eighteen-month trial period and once complete an assessment of its success will require to be undertaken to decide if the 20 mph speed limits should be made permanent, if made permanent should additional measures be required to be installed, and should further 20 mph speed limits be installed at other villages.
Angus Council will continue to look to make improvements to our roads network across Angus to assist with the reduction of road traffic collisions. This will be achieved through the annual programme of road safety improvement schemes implemented as part of the Accident Investigation & Prevention (AIP) Programme as well as the annual surface improvement schemes undertaken by the Roads Maintenance Team. However, with a reduction in available funding and resources issues will require to be prioritised.
Safety improvements are historically based on evidence such as collision records, causation factors and speed data, and are prioritised and subject to funding availability. More proactive and preventative measures will be sought in the future to ensure that travel is as safe as possible.
Major successes and challenges over the 10 years of the 2020 Framework?
Our major challenge over the last 10 years has been providing the same level of road safety initiatives with decreasing resources budgets.
The Angus Area Traffic Co-ordination Group, which consists of representatives from Roads Maintenance, Roads Traffic, Transport, Schools & Learning, Planning, Community Enforcement and Police Scotland, worked well over the past 10 years. The group met on a monthly basis to discuss local road safety and traffic management issues, including reports of concerns from residents and elected members. This collaborative work resulted in a variety of improvements to road safety being implemented including recommendations to the appropriate council committees for traffic calming measures, speed limit amendments, installation of pedestrian crossings and parking restrictions.