Swindon Borough Council are involved in a number of initiatives that aim to improve road safety in the local area. These include:
Bikeability
Bikeability training is provided to students in Year 5 and/or Year 6 at participating schools around the borough. There is also training available to other year groups during school holidays. This training is currently being delivered by LifeCycle UK. More information can be found at www.lifecycleuk.org.uk/swindon
Mini Police
In partnership with Wiltshire Police, our Road Safety Officer attends sessions with the ‘Mini Police’ to deliver a Road Safety input to the Year 5 students enrolled in the scheme.
Schools
Our Road Safety Officer works closely with local schools to assist with their Road Safety Education and to address any Road Safety issues that arise. This includes encouraging 5 Minute Walk Zones and Park ‘n’ Stride initiatives, as well as loaning out resources to schools when requested.
School Crossing Patrols
The Road Safety Officer has responsibility for the team of School Crossing Patrol Officers working at various schools across the borough of Swindon, to ensure that children are able to cross the road safely.
The School Crossing Patrol Officers have the authority to stop and control traffic while they cross people of all ages during the designated hours of their duty.
Traffic Management
Members of the Traffic Management team work hard to ensure that the roads around the borough are as safe as possible, implementing engineering measures in places where it is deemed necessary.
Wiltshire and Swindon Road Safety Partnership
The Wiltshire and Swindon Road Safety Partnership combines the expertise of Road Safety Officers from Wiltshire Council and Swindon Borough Council, as well as Wiltshire Police and Dorset & Wiltshire Fire & Rescue Service. The partnership works together to identify key areas of concern and deliver events to educate a variety of different Road Users. Some of the events that are regularly delivered are as follows:
• Safe Drive, Stay Alive – This is a hard hitting show presented to Year 11 students to highlight the dangers and consequences of poor driving and encourage them to become safe drivers. More information can be found at www.dwfire.org.uk/education/road-safety-education/safe-drive-stay-alive/
• Operation Close Pass – This operation aims to educate drivers about the need to give cyclists and other vulnerable road users, adequate space when passing them on the road.
• Drink Drive events – These events are held each year, usually around Christmas time as well as in the summer months. They aim to educate drivers about the dangers of driving whilst under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
• Child Seat Safety events – During these events, IOSH approved advisers from Child Seat Safety Ltd will be in attendance, to check car seats and give parents advice about purchasing and fitting car seats to maximise the safety of their children when in the car.
Contacts
Israk Miah
Road Safety Officer
Swindon Borough Council
Wat Tyler West
Beckhampton Street
Swindon,SN12JH
M: 07989222693
E: imiah@swindon.gov.uk