Issue - meetings

This report presents an updated version of the Surrey RoadSafe Vision Zero Road Safety Strategy and 20 mph speed limit policy for Cabinet approval. 

(The decisions on this item can be called-in by the Communities, Environment and Highways Select Committee)

RESOLVED:

1.    That Cabinet approves the Vision Zero Road Safety Strategy that has been amended following feedback from public consultation, and with reference to updated guidance from central government as part of their “Plan for Drivers”.

2.    That Cabinet approves the County Council’s more flexible approach to implementing new 20 mph Speed Limits.

Reasons for Decisions:

A new Surrey RoadSafe Partnership Vision Zero Road Safety Strategy, incorporating a new 20mph policy, based on best practice is crucial to reducing road death and injury throughout Surrey.

(The decisions on this item can be called-in by the Communities, Environment and Highways Select Committee)

The item was introduced by the Cabinet Member for Highways, Transport and Economic Growth who explained that the report presented an updated version of the Surrey RoadSafe Vision Zero Road Safety Strategy and 20 mph speed limit policy for Cabinet approval. The strategy had been amended following an extensive ten-week public consultation and engagement period, and with reference to updated guidance published by central government as part of their “Plan for Drivers”. This latest version of the strategy had been approved by the Surrey RoadSafe Board and was subject to scrutiny by the Communities Environment and Highways Select Committee on 17 July. The Cabinet Member explained that the new 20 mph policy unequivocally does not advocate a blanket approach, proposing instead to adopt a localised approach to decision making. The aim of the strategy would be to reduce road death and injury throughout Surrey.

The Chairman of the Communities, Environment and Highways Select Committee explained that the Select Committee was in broad support of the strategy and would like to see progress on the strategy monitored including progress on the delivery plan. The Chairman highlighted that the Select Committee would like to see more resources channelled into delivering the strategy. The current sum allocated over the next five years did not seem sufficient. Clarity was sought on the role of the divisional member and the consultation process when adopting a 20mph policy. The committee was broadly supportive of the strategy and looked forward to working with the Cabinet Member to implement the strategy. The Cabinet Member stated that resourcing was always a concern but Members could use their own member allocation to support this work and the central budget had also been increased by £500,000. 

The Deputy Cabinet Member for Strategic Highways explained that the policy and strategy was about safer streets. The new 20mph policy did not advocate a new blanket approach, proposing instead a new localised approach to speed reduction decision making which would require local engagement and consultation. Councillor Jonathan Essex welcomed the new strategy and the additional resource being put into this area.

The Leader explained that the Local Member would be closely involved with the implementation of the strategy and the current levels of Member allowance and central funds should be sufficient to make sure that those areas that want a 20 mile per hour zone can have them.

RESOLVED:

1.    That Cabinet approves the Vision Zero Road Safety Strategy that has been amended following feedback from public consultation, and with reference to updated guidance from central government as part of their “Plan for Drivers”.

2.    That Cabinet approves the County Council’s more flexible approach to implementing new 20 mph Speed Limits.

Reasons for Decisions:

A new Surrey RoadSafe Partnership Vision Zero Road Safety Strategy, incorporating a new 20mph policy, based on best practice is crucial to reducing road death and injury throughout Surrey.

(The decisions on this item can be called-in by the Communities, Environment and Highways Select Committee)