Road safety advocates in Birmingham have voiced their concerns over two new transport commissioner roles, arguing that they 'do not reflect the scale of the challenge' faced on city streets. West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker initiated a search this week for a new Road Safety Commissioner and an Active Travel Commissioner, both of whom will work one day a week and receive a £200 per day honorarium.
However, the Better Streets for Birmingham campaign group believes this represents a downgrade from the previous Cycling and Walking Commissioner role. They expressed concern that the active travel commissioner role had been reduced from three days a week to one, with pay cut by over 40 per cent.
A spokesperson for the Mayor's office dismissed the criticism, stating that they did not want to squander taxpayer money on duplicating work already undertaken by Transport for West Midlands officers. In its statement, Better Streets for Birmingham claimed that cycling and walking projects were lagging five years behind and that the new commissioner would need to "fiercely protect future funding".
The group also stated that "the scale and complexity of the road safety challenge is vast for a part time volunteer". Martin Price, Policy lead at Better Streets for Birmingham, expressed his disappointment with the outcome of the Mayor's six-month reshaping of these roles.
"Our region is at a critical point – the number of pedestrians being killed on our roads has increased in the last year and delivery of life-saving infrastructure is snail paced at best. In this context, many residents will be rightly disappointed that while London can pay £110,000 a year for their active travel commissioner, the West Midlands could only find £20,000 for two roles instrumental to their family's safety.", reports .
"It's difficult to see how these national anomalies can fulfil their responsibilities and continue to drive the regional change required. These roles do not reflect the scale or urgency of the challenge."
Mr Parker, who launched the Regional Road Safety Action Plan 2024-2030 at the National Road Safety Conference in Birmingham on Wednsday, said: "Road safety across the West Midlands is a top priority. I've structured the roles of the Road Safety Commissioner - alongside the Active Travel Commissioner - to achieve meaningful outcomes, supporting the delivery of our Regional Road Safety Action Plan.Join our Best of Brum WhatsApp community here"
"These roles are purposefully distinct from our full-time staff positions. The WMCA already has a dedicated Road Safety Manager, supported by colleagues across our organisation who are fully committed to road safety. The intent here is not to duplicate efforts, but to enhance our strategy."
The Mayor emphasised the importance of this role, stating: "The Road Safety Commissioner will also work closely with West Midlands PCC, Simon Foster, fostering alignment between our organisations. We are the only Combined Authority in the country with a dedicated Road Safety Commissioner. In the last year alone, road tragedies have devastated hundreds of families in the West Midlands.
"As Mayor, I'm committed to addressing this issue head-on. My role is to deliver meaningful change and improve the lives of West Midlands residents – that's the difference I intend to make, and that's how I hope to be judged."
A spokesperson for the Mayor's Office added: "Most people would consider around £200 a day for a voluntary role a good wage. We are not in the business of spending taxpayers money on duplicating jobs that already exist. These roles compliment the full-time officers, they do not replace them.
"Road Safety is vital, that's why the Mayor is launching a Road Safety Action Plan at the National Road Safety Conference. But to do this will take a concerted effort by the Mayor, Combined Authority, Police and Crime Commissioner, Fire Services, Councils, West Midlands Police, and all of our communities - and the Road Safety Commissioner will work across all of those areas."
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