Liverpool is set to declare a road safety emergency as calls grow for further action to remove dangerous motorists from city streets. All members of Liverpool Council will gather at the town hall tomorrow (Wednesday, September 30) to consider a motion urging the authority to follow through on its pledge to improve road safety.
Motion backed by cross-party support
Six months ago, leaders backed a blueprint put forward by Better Streets for Liverpool in their campaign to change the culture around motoring. The group has made 10 requests to make active travel a safer and more secure experience for all.
At the time, Liverpool Council said it echoed many of the sentiments put forward, particularly for the most vulnerable road users. The Green Party group has now secured cross-party support for its motion calling for a formal road safety emergency to be declared across the city.
Campaign aims and data
Better Streets for Liverpool is a community-led campaign calling for safe, healthy, people-friendly streets in Liverpool City Region (LCR). The movement is an affiliated group of Living Streets, the UK charity for everyday walking journeys.
With data indicating almost 800 serious injuries in Liverpool between 2022-2024, the group has made 10 requests to make active travel a safer and more secure experience for all. Only 2% of journeys across the wider LCR are currently cycled while only 39% of people think it’s safe to get out on two wheels, according to the Walking and Cycling Index carried out by the WalkWheelCycle Trust last year.
Among the 10 requests being put forward by Better Streets are clear and accessible pavements, traffic calming measures and giving priority to people walking and wheeling in high streets and town centres. This would include upgrading crossings, reducing wait times and giving enough time to cross.
Council action and next steps
Cllr Tom Crone, leader of the Green Party group, has laid down a fresh motion that has been adopted without debate. He said: “This city needs to start taking the issue of road safety seriously.”
“Simple changes like slower traffic speeds and better enforcement can save lives, so why would we wait? Now the council has declared a road safety emergency I am hoping to see tangible improvements on road safety in the coming months.”
The Greens have asked city officials to immediately review the 10 asks and identify areas where immediate progress is possible. The motion also requests Andrew Lewis, chief executive, to write to the Chief Constable of Merseyside Police urging them to do more to remove dangerous drivers from the roads.
It said: “This means more frequent and visible stops to test for drink and drug driving, and more enforcement of speed limits.”
“If drivers believed the rules of the road were being enforced more people would adopt safe driving styles and lives would be saved.”
