, Mayor of the West
Midlands, has made two major appointments to deliver on his
pledges to improve road safety and boost cycling and walking
across the region.
These are the first commissioners appointed by the Mayor and will
advise on road safety and active travel – the collective term for
cycling and walking – working with the Mayor's new Transport
Taskforce.
Road Safety Commissioner Mat MacDonald is an NHS doctor with
experience supporting victims of road collisions and is chair of
the Better Streets for Birmingham group – set up in the wake of a
series of fatal road collisions in the city. He is the UK's first
road safety commissioner.
Beccy Marston has been appointed as Active Travel Commissioner,
bringing her 17 years of experience working with communities,
councils, charities and private sector organisations on
initiatives to encourage more people to cycle and walk.
They will work closely with Transport for West Midlands (TfWM),
which is part of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) and
partners, including the police, fire service and local councils,
to deliver for the people of the region.
The Mayor said: “I've seen the devastating impact dangerous
driving has on victims and their loved ones. That's why making
our roads safer is not just a priority – it's a duty.
“Linked to this are our plans to encourage more people to choose
cycling, walking and wheeling for their shorter journeys – to
improve our environment, our health and reduce the traffic
congestion on our roads.
“And in Mat and Beccy I have people with valuable experience,
enthusiasm and determination to help deliver on my pledge to make
travel in our region easier, safer, and more affordable for
everyone.”
The key target, set out in the Regional Road Safety Strategy, is
to reduce the numbers of people killed or seriously injured on
our roads by half by 2030.
Mat said: “The task ahead is clear – we must reduce the number of
people being killed and seriously injured in collisions on our
road network. It will be an immense privilege to join a team who
have dedicated themselves to this outcome through the Regional
Road Safety Strategy, and I look forward to some hard,
collaborative and focused work to deliver it.
“Achieving this vital objective is the least we owe – not only to
the victims of the tragic crashes on our streets, but also to the
future generations of the West Midlands, whose safety and
happiness is critical to realising the exceptional potential of
our remarkable region.”
The region's Local Transport Plan has set out the target for
everyone to be able to safely reach a range of local destinations
on foot, in a wheelchair or on a bike or scooter; with the aim of
at least half of all trips to be made by active travel by 2030.
Beccy said: “My vision, alongside the newly formed taskforce, is
to remove the barriers that prevent people from fully embracing
active travel. By working hand-in-hand with communities and
grassroots organisations, we aim to bring our new infrastructure
to life and help individuals experience the practical benefits of
walking or cycling for everyday journeys.
“As someone who personally adopted active travel over 17 years
ago, I understand that walking and cycling may not be suitable
for every trip. However, it is our collective responsibility to
make these options safer, more accessible, and easier, helping
them become the natural and preferred choice for short journeys."
Police and Crime Commissioner, , who chairs the West Midlands
Road Safety Strategic Group, added: “I welcome the appointment of
Mat and Beccy, who both share a burning passion to make our
region a safer place to live, work and travel.
“Improving road safety and reducing the number of people
tragically and avoidably killed and seriously injured on our
roads will continue to be at the forefront of my priorities. I
look forward to working with the Mayor and the newly appointed
Road Safety and Active Travel Commissioners as we all commit to
Vision Zero.”
The Transport Taskforce will shape policy and advise the mayor
and partners as the region continues to invest in transport
infrastructure and services – including bus service reform,
growing Metro and rail networks and developing new cycle and
walking routes.
Making journeys safer and greener are key aims of the region's
Local Transport Plan.
In November, the Mayor, police, council leaders and other partner
groups adopted the new Regional Road Safety Action
Plan 2024-2030 which set out 23 measures designed to reduce
the numbers of people killed or seriously injured on West
Midlands streets.
These included recruiting more staff to review speed camera and
dashcam footage to secure more prosecutions, working with
councils to design safer and healthier streets and quarterly
reviews of all road deaths to learn lessons and advise on action.
