West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), Simon Foster, has welcomed two major appointments to help deliver on his pledge to improve road safety across the region.
The PCC joined West Midlands Mayor, Richard Parker, as he formally appointed a new Road Safety Commissioner and an Active Travel Commissioner, the latter tasked with boosting cycling and walking to improve health and to reduce traffic congestion on our roads.
Road Safety Commissioner Mat MacDonald is an NHS doctor with experience supporting victims of road collisions and is previous chair of Better Streets for Birmingham – a group who became prominent due to their demonstrations and letters following road deaths in the city.
Beccy Marston has been appointed as Active Travel Commissioner, bringing her 17 years of experience working with communities, councils, charities and private sector organisations on initiatives to encourage more people to cycle and walk.
They will work closely with Transport for West Midlands (TfWM), which is part of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) and partners, including the police, fire service and local councils, to deliver for the people of the region.
PCC Simon Foster, who chairs the West Midlands Road Safety Strategic Group, said: “I welcome the appointment of Mat and Beccy, who both share a burning passion to make our region a safer place to live, work and travel.
“Improving road safety and reducing the number of people tragically and avoidably killed and seriously injured on our roads will continue to be at the forefront of my priorities.
“I look forward to working with the Mayor and the newly appointed Road Safety and Active Travel Commissioners as we all commit to Vision Zero.”
The key target, set out in the Regional Road Safety Strategy, is to reduce the numbers of people killed or seriously injured on our roads by half by 2030.
Road Safety Commissioner Mat, who will now work more closely with the PCC to make our roads safer, said: “The task ahead is clear – we must reduce the number of people being killed and seriously injured in collisions on our road network. It will be an immense privilege to join a team who have dedicated themselves to this outcome through the Regional Road Safety Strategy, and I look forward to some hard, collaborative and focused work to deliver it.
“Achieving this vital objective is the least we owe – not only to the victims of the tragic crashes on our streets, but also to the future generations of the West Midlands, whose safety and happiness is critical to realising the exceptional potential of our remarkable region.”
In November, the PCC, Mayor, West Midlands Police, council leaders and other partner groups adopted the new Regional Road Safety Action Plan 2024-2030 which set out 23 measures designed to reduce the numbers of people killed or seriously injured on West Midlands streets.
These included recruiting more staff to review speed camera and dashcam footage to secure more prosecutions, working with councils to design safer and healthier streets and quarterly reviews of all road deaths to learn lessons and advise on action.
Mayor Richard Parker added: “I’ve seen the devastating impact dangerous driving has on victims and their loved ones. That’s why making our roads safer is not just a priority – it’s a duty.
“Linked to this are our plans to encourage more people to choose cycling, walking and wheeling for their shorter journeys – to improve our environment, our health and reduce the traffic congestion on our roads.
“And in Mat and Beccy I have people with valuable experience, enthusiasm and determination to help deliver on my pledge to make travel in our region easier, safer, and more affordable for everyone.”
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