Ken Hawkins

We have a very good safety record on our roads and this is achived through a great partnership with the police, fire and ambulanec service and schools. We should never ever be complacent though, just one collision can ruin more than one persons life.

As the Local Highway Authority we have a duty to manage the road network for the benefit of all road users, including cyclists and pedestrians. This includes setting speed limits in line with current guidance, as well as Physical Traffic Calming measures, Pedestrian Crossing and School Patrols.

Speed monitoring:

We regularly monitor vehicle speeds across the road network, both in response to requests from the public as well to inform the development of potential schemes.

We can carry out both 100 vehicle spot checks as well as full 7 day monitoring depending on the type of issue being reported. 100 vehicle spot checks are undertaken by our Highways Team and provide an indication of vehicles speeds on a like for like basis.

If necessary, a full 7 day monitoring using an automatic traffic counter can then be undertaken to gain a fuller understanding of traffic behaviour.

If you believe a road needs to have a speed reduction, or even an increase, I suggest you contact your local ward councillor to look into this.

Speed aware:

Speed Aware is a Council led initiative that involves the use of small electronic warning signs, known as ‘SpeedVisors’. These signs are deployable signs, which are mounted to existing lamp columns and alert drivers to their speed and encourage greater compliance with the speed limit.

We install SpeedVisors in response to requests from residents about inconsiderate speeding and have a programme in place which rotates them around sites across the borough on a 4 weekly basis.

To request a SpeedVisor please contact highwayservices@solihull.gov.uk.

Community Speed watch:

Community Speed watch is a community driven road safety initiative which empowers community volunteers to address their concerns about inappropriate traffic speed around their places of work and/or residence, with the support of the police.

This initiative is led by West Midlands Police, who will work with trained volunteers from the community to monitor speeds of vehicles with approved speed detection devices.

Where speeds are found to be inappropriate and the driver identified the police can contact the individual to encourage them to reduce their speed when driving in the future. The purpose is to reduce harm and the fear of harm, while improving overall road user behaviour on the road network.

Contact your local Neighbourhood Policing Team for further information on initiatives in your areas.

Vulnerable Road User Group:

Solihull Council’s Vulnerable Road User Group is a group of residents and council staff who work together as a ‘critical friend’ to understand issues of safety for our most vulnerable road users, and how to make things safer for them. This involves considering the particular needs of children, older people and people with disabilities when using the borough’s streets and roads.