PEOPLE are being invited to have their say on the new strategy to eliminate road deaths and serious injuries in Leeds.

Leeds City Council is proposing a fundamental change in its approach to tackling road danger. A public consultation started this week for people who visit, live and work in Leeds to shape the proposals.

The draft Leeds Safer Roads Vision Zero 2040 strategy sets out a plan to transform road safety. Vision Zero is described as a ground-breaking approach to reducing road danger.

To find out more and have your say, visit leedssaferroadsvisionzero.commonplace.is/.

The strategy, developed by the Leeds Safer Roads Partnership, is made up of five pillars -safe behaviours and people, safe speeds, safe roads, safe vehicles, and post-collision learning and care.

The Safe System model considers the broader context of road safety and advocates for systemic change. It requires everyone to play their part.

The strategy reflects the Highway Code’s hierarchy of road users, which prioritises pedestrians and cyclists, and states that road users who can do the greatest harm to others have a greater responsibility to behave safely.

The city council says significant progress has been made in reducing casualties on Leeds’s roads since 2000, but in recent years the decline has levelled off.

Between 2016 and 2020, crashes on roads in Leeds killed 83 people and seriously injured 1,498 people. A further 8,317 people suffered minor injuries, bringing the total number of injuries and deaths to 9,898. Road crashes usually involve motor vehicles, but most of the victims who were killed or seriously injured were walking, cycling, or riding a motorbike.

Councillor Helen Hayden, Leeds City Council executive member for infrastructure and climate said: “This new strategy will transform our approach to road safety. We need to remember that behind every statistic a person is killed or seriously injured on our roads. Someone’s life has been cut short, leaving behind a devastated family, or their health has been adversely affected.

“Our vision is that by 2040 no one will be killed or suffer serious injuries on roads in Leeds. The strategy sets out our plan to achieve this and make the roads safer for people to walk and cycle. I am very proud that Leeds is the first city in West Yorkshire to adopt the ‘Vision Zero’ approach.

“This is a great opportunity to give your feedback and help shape our ambitious proposals. I would encourage everybody to take part in the consultation and have your say.”

Chief Superintendent Ed Chesters, West Yorkshire Police said: “Despite significant improvement over recent years, people are still dying or suffering serious injury on roads in Leeds. That’s why safer roads are a Policing and Crime Plan priority, and we are committed to working with Leeds City Council to reduce road danger.

“We welcome the adoption of the Vision Zero strategy in Leeds, which represents a real opportunity to bring about significant changes to the way that we work together to make the roads safer for everyone. The strategy will help us to cut the risk of collisions, increase community confidence and promote safer, more active and sustainable travel.

“I hope the public get involved with this consultation so the strategy can be developed in collaboration with the residents of Leeds.”

Two public consultation events are taking place for people to ask questions and learn more:

•Drop-in event: Tuesday 22 March, 12pm – 5pm at Leeds Kirkgate Market, Vicar Lane, LS2 7HY

•Online webinar: Friday 25 March, 12pm – 1pm

To learn more and have your say, visit leedssaferroadsvisionzero.commonplace.is/. The consultation closes on Sunday, April 24.