Vision Zero is a fantastic ambition and absolutely the right way to go. But I predict the greatest opposition will come from the ten district Council highway teams, including ironically their 'road safety' functions. Currently most of the highway teams see their role as accommodating demand for vehicular traffic and keeping what they see as vulnerable users (cyclists, pedestrians and public transport users) out of the way. Road Safety teams are part of a national industry with significant vested interests and conventional wisdom. For instance, Stockport RST, instead of making roads safer for all users (including segregation where this makes sense), indulge in absurdities like 'pedestrian training'.
I wish the zero death campaign well but a huge culture change is needed within the GM authorities - as was within the Nordic countries to realise that roads are places for people, not just motorised vehicles. But Norway proves that it could be fine here.
Vision Zero is a fantastic ambition and absolutely the right way to go. But I predict the greatest opposition will come from the ten district Council highway teams, including ironically their 'road safety' functions. Currently most of the highway teams see their role as accommodating demand for vehicular traffic and keeping what they see as vulnerable users (cyclists, pedestrians and public transport users) out of the way. Road Safety teams are part of a national industry with significant vested interests and conventional wisdom. For instance, Stockport RST, instead of making roads safer for all users (including segregation where this makes sense), indulge in absurdities like 'pedestrian training'.
I wish the zero death campaign well but a huge culture change is needed within the GM authorities - as was within the Nordic countries to realise that roads are places for people, not just motorised vehicles. But Norway proves that it could be fine here.