Road Safety: North Yorkshire

Opened the debate

Keir Mather, a newly elected Labour MP for Selby and Ainsty, highlighted the urgent need for road safety measures in his constituency. With data from the House of Commons Library showing 36 fatal casualties between 2018 and 2022, he stressed the dangers posed by high-speed roads lacking adequate traffic-calming measures. He cited specific incidents such as a recent fatality on the A63 and ongoing issues in villages like Hambleton and Monk Fryston. Mather criticised local Conservative policies for focusing on culture wars rather than practical solutions, emphasising the need for 20 mph zones where necessary. He called for action from North Yorkshire Council to address immediate safety concerns.

Government Response

Minister Guy Opperman acknowledged the debate's importance and expressed condolences for recent fatalities. He noted Britain's relatively safe roads but emphasised that every death or serious injury is a tragedy. The minister highlighted local authorities' powers to install traffic-calming measures under the Highways Act 1980, while emphasising that decisions on 20 mph zones are locally determined. Opperman also presented statistics showing significant reductions in road casualties since 2009 and outlined government investments in North Yorkshire's infrastructure, including a £4.7 billion local transport fund announced recently. He detailed various safer roads initiatives and changes to the highway code and driving tests aimed at improving driver behaviour. Additionally, he mentioned specific funding projects such as the safer roads fund that have been invested in North Yorkshire.