Consultation launches on plans to end road deaths in Greater Manchester

An online survey has launched on the city-region’s ‘Vision Zero’ plans to end deaths and life-changing injuries on Greater Manchester roads by 2040.

The consultation launched 12th February on the GM Consult website, and will run for four weeks to give stakeholders and local residents the opportunity to help shape an action plan to make Greater Manchester roads safer.

In January, a draft version of the Vision Zero Strategy was endorsed by Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, and other GMCA leaders.

Vision Zero, which has been adopted in other parts of the UK, Europe and the United States, aims to stop road death and life-changing injury by 2040, while also halving the number of casualties by the end of this decade. It is intended to enable safe, healthy and equitable mobility for all. In the last ten years nearly 10,000 people who live in, work in or visit Greater Manchester have been killed or seriously injured on our roads. Between 2018 and 2022, pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists accounted for nearly two thirds of those killed or seriously injured, while drivers and passengers made up 34% of casualties.

Peter Boulton, TfGM’s Head of Highways and spokesman for Vision Zero Greater Manchester, said:

“Last month the GMCA endorsed a draft version of our Vision Zero strategy, and it is now time for the people of Greater Manchester to have their say on what is a vitally important document.

“I would urge everyone to get take part in the survey and share their views on our proposals to reduce the number of deaths and serious injuries on our roads, and to make the roads safer for pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists and motorists.

“Road accident statistics only reveal a small part of the impact of road death and life-changing injury in Greater Manchester. We now want to better understand the personal experiences behind those statistics.”

Development of Greater Manchester’s Vision Zero Strategy and Action Plan is being led by the Greater Manchester Safer Roads Partnership on behalf of the GMCA. Members of the partnership include Transport for Greater Manchester, Greater Manchester Police, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, National Highways and the 10 Greater Manchester local authorities.