Agenda item

Mr Graham Compton, Road Safety Officer at Leicestershire Police, has been invited to attend for this item.

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Environment and Transport which provided an update on the confirmed reported road casualty statistics up to the end of 2023; the Council’s approach to casualty reduction; and the Leicestershire Police’s approach to road safety. A copy of the report, marked ‘Agenda Item 8’, is filed with these minutes.

It was noted that a letter had been received by the Committee from Mr. Max Hunt CC dated 6 March 2025 which raised queries regarding vulnerable road users and 20 mph zones. A copy of the letter is filed with these minutes. It was agreed that the Director of Environment and Transport would provide a written response to Mr. Hunt CC after the meeting.

The Chairman welcomed Mr Graham Compton, Road Safety Officer at Leicestershire Police, to the meeting.  Mr Compton presented the Police Road Safety update (attached as appendix A to the report).

Arising from discussion the following points were made:

(i)               A member welcomed the relatively low road casualties in Leicestershire overall, but raised concerns about hotspots such as school gates where the amount of accidents was higher and queried what could be done in those areas. In response it was explained that the approach would be data led and communities could help with collecting this data. Reassurance was given that work was taking place with partners such as schools regarding what initiatives would help improve the safety of those hotspots or the public’s perception of safety in those areas. An education programme was available which used learning from the Police and Fire Service. The Road Safety Partnership carried out a lot of work regarding driver behaviour. Consideration was also being given to whether more use could be made of average speed cameras.

(ii)              The Department for Transport suggested the mean speed for a village road that was being considered for a 20mph speed limit/zone should be at or below 24mph. A member queried whether the County Council had the resources to change all those roads to a 20mph speed limit. In response it was explained that Leicestershire did not have a blanket approach and the focus in Leicestershire was on roads with a 30 or 40 mph speed limit. This approach was working in Leicestershire.

(iii)            There had been very few reported collisions involving e-scooters in Leicestershire, with just seven in 2023, though anecdotally members felt that the numbers were higher. Members raised particular concerns about e-scooters being used at night due to a lack of visibility. The use of e-scooters on public roads in Leicestershire was not legal but it was difficult to enforce. Leicestershire Police had carried out operations confiscating e-scooters. Further legislation and guidance was required to help tackle the problem.

(iv)            In response to concerns raised about cyclists not using lights at night, and young people crossing the road without looking, it was explained that education programmes took place in schools regarding staying visible on the roads.

(v)             In response to a question from the Chairman about a Community Speed Watch scheme that had taken place in the Whitwick area and whether another Speed Watch scheme could take place in the same electoral division, it was confirmed that there was no limit on how many Speed Watch schemes could take place as long as they met the criteria. One of the main difficulties was finding enough volunteers to operate the scheme. It was agreed that further information regarding Community Speed Watch schemes would be emailed to the Chairman after the meeting.

RESOLVED:

That the update in relation to road safety and road casualties be noted.