The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC), has awarded £201,000 to 15 parish, town and ward councils and organisations that have been successful in their bid into the Roads Fund.
The aim of the Roads Fund, which is ran by the OPCC, is to try and reduce the number of people harmed on Bedfordshire’s roads.
Road casualties devastate families and communities. Collisions also cost the national economy an estimated £16.3 billion a year and add pressure on the National Health Service (NHS) and emergency services.
The partners that make up the Bedfordshire Road Safety Partnership are all committed to improving road safety.
The fund opened to partners for the second time in the Autumn of 2021 and successful bidders have now been contacted.
The OPCC, in their brief to bidders, said they wanted to see bids that are more about an intelligence-driven approach. They said it will help give the public education around not driving whilst under the influence, not using mobile phones whilst driving, wearing seat belts as well as speeding.
Lucy Crawford, one of the successful bidders, from Staploe Parish Council said “Staploe Parish Council are enormously grateful for the donation we have received from the Road Safety Fund.
“Speeding is a persistent problem in our parish, and we have three hamlets with no pavements and few verges to walk on. Pedestrians in our three hamlets often complain of the danger of speeding cars. This grant will enable us to buy a mobile speed indicator to remind drivers to slow down. It can be moved to different locations in the parish thereby enabling more than one region of the parish to benefit.”
The investment fits with the Police and Crime Commissioner’s (PCC) plans to ensure crime is prevented instead of just dealing with the harm it causes.
The announcement also coincides with the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC), nationwide campaign, to encourage forces to crack down on drivers committing the offence of using a mobile phone whilst driving, which runs until 21st February.
Police and Crime Commissioner, Festus Akinbusoye said “I was really impressed with the quality of the bids and the passion behind wanting to continue to support our communities to feel safer on the roads using preventative approaches. Unfortunately, road collisions continue to rise, not just in Bedfordshire but also nationally, so we cannot afford to be complacent.
“Working together, responding to accident trends, with well thought out and evidence-based activity, using the expertise of our partners, will help us to achieve real changes and improvements for the people of Bedfordshire.
“Our watch schemes provide untold support to our communities, and I was pleased to be able to fund additional Speed Indicator Devices (SIDs) in Bedfordshire. These devices provide an instant visible notification that the motorist is travelling at so I’m really glad we are able to provide even more of these in this recent round of funding”.
Mark Turner, Chief Executive of the Road Victims Trust said: “The Road Victims Trust are proud to work in partnership with the Office of Police and Crime Commissioner and Bedfordshire Police for the 7th year running.
“This has allowed for sustainability and longer-term planning within the Trust which has enabled early intervention and support to hundreds of people whose lives have been devastated by a road-death. The working partnership is unique and allows for the very best levels of victim care”
“The Road Victims Trust is a charity dedicated to supporting people who have been affected by the grief and trauma of road death or a serious injury or life-changing injuries who are resident in Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire.
Speaking about their bid being accepted Mr Turner said: “This is tremendous news that will make a real difference to many. Thank you again to the OPCC for their support with this”.
For anyone affected by mentioned topics, please contact Bedfordshire Victim Care Services (BVCS).
BVCS can be reached on the confidential freephone number 0800 0282 887 and provide support across a wide range of crimes. Website: www.bedfordshirevcs.com if individuals prefer to self-refer.
Alternatively, you can contact the Roads Victims Trust. If you require their support, please call 01234 843345 or email: enquiries@rvtrust.co.uk, or visit their website: https://www.rvtrust.org.uk/
If you are interested in becoming a Speed Watch volunteer, please email watchschemes@bedfordshire.pnn.police.uk