In a heartfelt ceremony in Leeds, Lord Mayor Councillor Abigail Marshall Katung unveiled a new plaque to honor road crash victims, coinciding with Road Safety Week and the 25th anniversary of the city’s memorial tree. This tribute underscores Leeds’ commitment to the Vision Zero initiative, aiming to eliminate road fatalities and serious injuries by 2040, while encouraging residents to actively participate in creating safer streets.
What is the significance of the new plaque unveiled by the Lord Mayor in Leeds?
The new plaque unveiled by the Lord Mayor in Leeds during Road Safety Week is a tribute to victims of road collisions, marking the 25th anniversary of the city’s memorial tree. It serves as a public space for reflection and emphasizes the commitment to Vision Zero, aiming to eliminate road fatalities and serious injuries by 2040.
Memorial Unveiling During Road Safety Week
Last Friday marked a solemn occasion in Leeds as the Lord Mayor, Councillor Abigail Marshall Katung, led a memorial service in Park Square. This service was not just a routine engagement for the civic leader but a heartfelt tribute during Road Safety Week, which spans from 17 to 23 November annually. A new plaque was unveiled, commemorating the 25th anniversary of the city’s memorial tree, a living monument dedicated to the memory of those who lost their lives in road collisions.
The event coincided perfectly with the theme ‘After the Crash’, chosen by the road safety charity Brake for this year’s Road Safety Week. The week aims to throw light on the aftermath of road collisions—on the victims and their families—as well as celebrate the heroes who offer vital support post-incident. The presence of the memorial tree in Park Square offers a space for reflection and remembrance where the public can honour victims and contemplate the gravity of road safety.
During the poignant ceremony, the Lord Mayor emphasized the memorial’s significance and the collective responsibility in embracing Vision Zero. Vision Zero is the council’s ambitious goal to eliminate all fatalities and serious injuries on the roads by 2040. “The only acceptable number of road casualties is zero,” Councillor Katung poignantly stated.
Vision Zero Strategy and Public Responsibility
Leeds City Council, under the stewardship of Councillor Jonathan Pryor, Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Economy, Transport, and Sustainable Development, endorses Vision Zero, an approach that is increasingly shaping urban road safety strategies. In his remarks, Councillor Pryor encouraged the people of Leeds to carry the message of Road Safety Week beyond just one week, embedding it into daily life. He urged residents to engage in conversations about safe driving and to commit to the Vision Zero pledge as a testament to their dedication to safer roads.
The Vision Zero Strategy, embraced by the city council in 2022, is structured around five key themes, each addressing different aspects of road safety:
- Safe Speeds
- Safe Behaviours and People
- Safe Roads
- Safe Vehicles
- Post-Collision Learning and Care
These themes integrate into a ‘Safe System’ approach, which aims to enhance the overall traffic system’s safety through a holistic understanding and mitigation of risks.
Sustainable Travel and the Path to Safer Roads
The safe and sustainable travel team at Leeds City Council is not only an advocate for Vision Zero but also champions a broader shift in urban mobility habits. A critical component of their mission is to reduce dependence on private vehicles, nudging the city’s populace towards greener and safer travel options like walking, cycling, and public transportation.
Between 2019 and 2023, Leeds witnessed the tragic loss of 92 lives due to road crashes, alongside 2,136 severe injuries, highlighting the urgency of the Vision Zero initiative. Alison Lowe, West Yorkshire’s Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime and Chair of the West Yorkshire Vision Zero Board, echoed the need for collective action, stating, “Everyone has a role in road safety, and we must all do our bit to make that change.”
The Vision Zero pledge stands as a call to action for all residents of Leeds and the wider West Yorkshire region. By signing the pledge, individuals signal their intention to play an active role in creating a future where road fatalities and serious injuries are a thing of the past. The public can access and sign the Vision Zero pledge here.
In embracing these initiatives, Leeds is taking significant strides towards a safer and more sustainable future. The city is committed to the well-being of its residents and to the belief that every life is valuable. With the combined efforts of local authorities, communities, and individuals making conscious travel choices, Leeds moves closer to a day when the memorial tree in Park Square will no longer need to bear new names, and the roads will be a place of safety for all.
- The Lord Mayor of Leeds, Councillor Abigail Marshall Katung, unveiled a plaque to honor road crash victims during Road Safety Week, coinciding with the 25th anniversary of the city’s memorial tree.
- The event emphasized Leeds’ commitment to the Vision Zero initiative, which aims to eliminate road fatalities and serious injuries by 2040.
- The theme of this year’s Road Safety Week, ‘After the Crash’, focuses on the impact of road collisions on victims and their families, as well as the support provided by community heroes.
- Leeds City Council’s Vision Zero strategy, adopted in 2022, consists of five key themes aimed at improving road safety: Safe Speeds, Safe Behaviours and People, Safe Roads, Safe Vehicles, and Post-Collision Learning and Care.
- The Vision Zero pledge encourages residents of Leeds to actively participate in creating safer roads and reducing reliance on private vehicles by promoting sustainable travel options.