The launch of a new road safety taskforce in Shropshire has been dubbed “ironic”.
Councillor Alan Mosley, leader of the opposition Labour group, said there will be “limitations” faced by the Task and Finish group after Shropshire Council’s highways team saw its budget slashed by £10 million over the next two years.
He noted that in his own Castlefields and Ditherington division, has seen improvements outside schools dropped because of the cutbacks.
Cllr Mosley said: “It is ironic that this is happening at a this time when safety schemes are being cut.
“We all had schemes chopped, good safety schemes that have been chopped in the last six months.
“I would like the group to look at the impact of budget cuts on road safety initiatives and the outcomes of that.”
Councillor Dave Tremellen agreed, adding: “We had one ready to go last September and then we lost it.
“It was put back to the new financial year and then after the cutbacks we lost it completely.”
The taskforce will be made up of councillors charged with looking at the effectiveness of current road safety policies, opportunities and how they could be funded, as well as the move to introduce 20mph zones to urban areas.
It comes after an increase in the number of people killed or seriously injured on Shropshire roads.
Councillor Steve Davenport, portfolio holder for Highways and Transport, welcomed the group saying he was “really pleased” that it is being established.
Cllr Davenport continued: “I am really pleased this is coming forward to look at road safety as a whole and not just the 20s Plenty campaign.”
The findings of the group will be reported back to the Performance Management Scrutiny Committee in March.
Councillor Claire Wild, committee chairman, said: “It is going to take quite a lot of time and quite a few meetings.
“We will put this out to all members, but then it will be up to them to decide what they are going to do as part of their work.”
Ludlow MP welcomes further fall in inflation
New community initiative aims to improve ground of cemetery in Ludlow
Long term plans for flood hit Severn communities
Farm buildings built without permission will stay
College will build 60 room boarding house after plans approved
‘Improved’ plan to replace turkey sheds with houses near Leominster
“Dismay” as schools library service faces axe
Shropshire Council plan to help homeless is “huge step forward”
