Road safety is the top priority

Banbridge Policing and Community Safety Partnership (PCSP) has set out its plans for the year ahead - with an emphasis on road safety.

At the launch of the plan the PCSP worked in partnership with the DoE Road Safety & Vehicle Regulation Division to raise local awareness of the current community campaign, “Share the Road to Zero”.

Cllr Junior McCrum, in his capacity as chairman of Banbridge PCSP, commented, “Banbridge PCSP has now been operating for just over twelve months and all of the PCSP Members - the 10 Political Members, the nine Independent Members and the seven Designated Members – have all had their say in developing this local delivery plan.

“The areas for work, the projects, activities and events that will be both led directly by the PCSP and also by its Designated Partners will contribute in a co-ordinated way to helping make the Banbridge District safer, and to ensuring that the voices of local people are heard on policing and community safety issues.”

Cllr McCrum continued, “A key issue is safer driving practices and contributing to reducing the number of people killed and seriously injured on our roads which is why Banbridge PCSP is delighted to work with the DoE to raise local awareness of the ‘Share the Road to Zero’ community campaign.”

Mr Liam Hannaway, Chief Executive of Banbridge District Council, outlined the Council’s role in establishing the PCSP and referred to the commitment to date of the seven statutory (Designated) agencies who have a positive impact on community safety in ensuring that the PCSP has a solid basis from which to help make the District safer.

Banbridge PCSP Vice-Chair, Mr Jonathan Murphy, went on to outline some of the key projects being directly supported by the PCSP in 2013/14 which include the Community Safety Wardens; the Banbridge Secure project; school-based projects such as the recent ‘Bee Safe’ event; and promoting/supporting local Neighbourhood Watch schemes across the District.

Speaking on behalf of the DoE Road Safety & Vehicle Regulation Division Department, Bridin Beckett commented, “In addition to the advertising campaign, there is a supporting on-line and community engagement campaign.”

To pledge your support, you can go to www.sharetheroadtozero.com