An ambitious strategy has been unveiled by transport bosses which aims to eliminate deaths and serious injuries on roads in Greater Manchester. 

Active Travel Commissioner Dame Sarah Storey has set out the intention to stop anyone from losing their lives in the city region through 'Vision Zero'. 

According to Department for Transport figures, some 858 people were killed or seriously injured in collisions on Greater Manchester's roads in 2021 alone. 

'Vision Zero' is the next step in the mission to make the city region a "safer, healthier and more sustainable place" for pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists and motorists. 

By taking decisive action, Transport for Greater Manchester believes around 3,800 unnecessary deaths and serious injuries could be prevented by 2040. 

On Monday (5 June), Dame Sarah Storey - known best as Team GB’s most decorated Paralympian - was joined by Greater Manchester's Transport Commissioner Vernon Everett and other key stakeholders at the 'Big Active Conversation' event at the Village Hotel in Ashton to announce the start of a detailed programme to fully develop Greater Manchester's 'Vision Zero' approach. 

A panel discussion at the Big Active Conversation at the Village Hotel in Ashton 

She said consultancy firm Agilysis - who specialise in road danger reduction - have been commissioned to develop the strategy, alongside partners including the emergency services, with a first draft expected to go out for public consultation in the autumn. 

"Any death or serious injury on our roads is one too many, and these collisions are already devastating people’s lives," said Dame Sarah. 

“It’s heart-breaking to learn of a fatal or life-changing collision and sadly there has been some horrendous incidents very recently right on our doorstep. These incidents are neither acceptable or inevitable, and we should all be doing everything we can to prevent them.

“Back in November I launched a refreshed mission for Greater Manchester's active travel programme and within that I recommended the region adopt Vision Zero. 

“This announcement is the first step on making that a reality and I hope the work that now follows will pave the way in making everyone feel safe when they take to the roads, whether that be in a car, on foot or on a bike.

“Getting it right will require a collective effort and commitment by everyone, which is why I am delighted to have Agilysis on board as we start our journey.” 

LISTEN: Hear Dame Sarah Storey talking about the 'Vision Zero' strategy below

Attendees at the 'Big Active Conversation' event try out adapted bikes at Tameside Cycle Circuit

As well as stamping out serious injuries and deaths on Greater Manchester’s roads, 'Vision Zero' will help tackle the impact on the emergency services and the cost to public finances.

Bosses claim it has the potential to save the city-region's economy more than £4.5 billion over the next 20 years.  

They say the strategy will draw on best practice from other cities around the world and across the UK with 'Vision Zero' strategies in place, including Stockholm, Oslo, London and Bristol.

Some of the effective measures to have been introduced include 20mph speed limits, safer junctions and segregated lanes for people to walk, wheel and cycle and increased enforcement for speeding vehicles.

Greater Manchester’s 'Vision Zero' plan will also build on the existing work of the city-region’s Road Danger Reduction Advisory Group and Greater Manchester Police, which has already been bolstering operations to keep people safe when they are using the region’s transport and highways network.

Transport Commissioner Vernon Everitt said: “Commitment to Vision Zero in cities and regions across the UK and overseas has resulted in a significant reduction in death and serious injury on the roads. 

“We look forward to the outcome of the work by our road danger reduction experts to see the potential for similarly positive outcomes in Greater Manchester, building on the work already undertaken by districts, TfGM, the police and other partners.”

LISTEN: Hear Vernon Everitt speaking about the Vision Zero strategy and more below

Transport Commissioner Vernon Everitt

In Greater Manchester, there were 28 pedestrians killed and 217 serious injuries as a result of road collisions in 2021. Meanwhile, there were five cyclist fatalities and 129 serious cyclist casualties in the same period, plus 10 motorcyclist deaths and 106 serious casualties. 

In addition, there were 29 fatalities amongst car occupants - which includes drivers and passengers of private vehicles, taxis and minibuses - along with 305 casualties suffering serious injuries.

Drivers failing to look properly remains one of the top contributory factors recorded for collisions between a person cycling and drivers, as well motorcyclists.

In the top five driver manoeuvres which cause injury to Greater Manchester cyclists, three are associated with turning, and not looking and seeing properly including; turning right; driving ahead right-hand bend and turning left.  

Superintendent Gareth Parkin, of GMP’s Transport Unit, added: “We are committed to Vision Zero for Greater Manchester. Every life lost on our roads is a tragedy that deeply effects our community. 

“With our growing Roads Policing team, we will continue to increase our capability to enforce, educate the public, and work with stakeholders to eliminate preventable collisions.”