Minutes:
Inspector Dave Osborne (accompanied by PC Cath Linney, Metropolitan Police Traffic Unit, Catford), outlined work of the Metropolitan Police Roads and Transport Policing Command. This was a new Command combining traffic responsibilities with safer transport in London. It oversees policing on London’s road and transport network working in partnership with, and significantly funded by, Transport for London to tackle transport related crime, improve road safety, and reduce the number of traffic related injuries and deaths on London's roads.
A 20mph speed limit was being introduced on some roads in certain London Boroughs and a 20mph limit was also being piloted on some TfL roads. Following a relaxation of Department for Transport guidelines in 2013, sole reliance was now placed on signs to highlight a speed limit. Met Police only enforce a 20mph limit in specific problem areas and engineering solutions were suggested as a more general deterrent.
Reference was made to Community Roadwatch, involving members of the public liaising with police officers to identify speeding motorists. Although there were currently difficulties training volunteers for the role, TfL were keen to take the initiative forward.
“Operation Safeway”, aimed at improving cycle safety in the capital,was also highlighted. Started in November 2013 following a period of cycling fatalities that year, the operation provides high profile enforcement at key spots on the London road network, L B Bromley having three Safeway Hotspot junctions as follows:
· the junction of Bromley High Street (or is this Kentish Way?) with Widmore Road;
Over 300 Fixed Penalty Notices had been issued at the junctions since last year, including some for cyclists for offences such as proceeding through red traffic lights. For drivers, offences included those using mobile phones when driving and driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
In discussion, a number of questions were asked and observations made.
It was concerning that some motorists seemed increasingly willing to “jump” red traffic lights, the junction of Bromley Common with Hayes Lane and the junction at Bickley point both being highlighted for the offence. Inspector Osborne offered to pass the concern to the local MPS Safer Transport team.
To involve volunteers in Community Roadwatch, it was confirmed that funding was necessary to calibrate the speed guns and there were problems in meeting demand for the guns (they needed to be calibrated each year). TfL would be approached to explore whether funding could be provided to enable training. In the meantime, trained police officers would be available and volunteers could be briefed. Community Roadwatch did not need a lot of police resources and volunteers wanting to be involved would not be turned away at a location. A safer community ward contact was also available.
It was highlighted that a number of cyclists used roads in Darwin ward. Even though a narrow road could be blocked to motorists with up to three cyclists riding side by side, it was confirmed that this was not illegal. Some vehicles also travelled at excessive speed along Shire Lane. The road was narrow in places with a potential problem should a motorist encounter a heavy goods vehicle along the road. Acknowledging a problem of excessive speed, Inspector Osborne suggested that some mobile speed enforcement capacity could be used at the location.
Rather than use speed guns, it was suggested that speed limit signs be designed to make more of an impact. The Portfolio Holder also highlighted a problem of mobile phone use by some motorists when driving and would support any trial enforcement campaign in the borough against the practice.
Inspector Osborne confirmed that Met Police also contributed to the easing of traffic congestion. This included helping to maintain the free flow of traffic through Blackwall and Rotherhithe tunnels and enforcing against inconsiderate parking on red routes. Concerning enforcement against uninsured drivers, the continuing success of Operation Cubo had resulted in a large number of vehicles being seized, the use of Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) contributing significantly to enforcement success. ANPR was installed in police vehicles to identify any passing uninsured vehicle. The technology was available to officers both daily and during targeted enforcement.
The Met Police were grateful for the support of LB Bromley, highlighting that work of the borough’s road safety officers was respected throughout London.
The Chairman thanked the Met Police representatives for their attendance indicating that more Community Roadwatch activity was desired in the borough with Members supporting continued enforcement activity including enforcement against uninsured drivers.