Commons Sense

House of Commons · Adjournment Debate

Road Safety: West Midlands

09 June 2026 · 2 other contributors

Opened by Manuela Perteghella Lib Dem Stratford-on-Avon

Crime & Law EnforcementTransport

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Manuela Perteghella raised concerns about road safety: west midlands in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.

Key points

  • MP raised concerns about high road fatalities in West Midlands due to speeding and dangerous driving.
  • MP called for national legislation to enforce speed limits and protect vulnerable road users.
  • Minister acknowledged road safety as a priority and outlined ambitious targets in the new strategy.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

Manuela Perteghella Lib Dem Stratford-on-Avon

The MP raised concerns about the high number of fatalities on West Midlands roads, citing examples where residents reported speeding and dangerous driving but received inadequate responses from local authorities. She highlighted the need for national legislation to enforce speed limits, protect vulnerable road users, and provide funding for active travel infrastructure. The Government’s recent road safety strategy was welcomed but criticised for lacking enforcement mechanisms. The MP called for proactive measures rather than reactive approaches in addressing road safety issues.

Other contributors (2)
  • Paulette Hamilton Lab Erdington

    Residents of Chester Road are frustrated with inconsistent enforcement and lack of clarity around speeding policies, despite existing speed restrictions. There is a need for clearer national guidance and better co-ordination between local authorities, police, and transport bodies.

  • Lee Rowley Con North East Derbyshire

    Agreed with the hon. Member that rural road safety should not be overlooked alongside urban issues. Cited concerns about speed limits and enforcement in his constituency where speeding is common due to lack of traffic calming measures.

Government Response

Simon Lightwood

The Minister acknowledged the importance of the debate and thanked the MPs for their contributions. He emphasised that road safety is a priority for the Government, highlighting ambitious targets in the recently published road safety strategy to reduce deaths and serious injuries by 65% by 2035. The minister outlined actions including a consultation on minimum learning periods for new drivers, strengthened motorcycle training, improved vehicle safety standards, and a new national charter to improve work-related road risk safety. He also announced plans to update guidance on setting speed limits and the use of traffic-calming measures, emphasising proactive decision-making by local authorities based on evidence. The minister committed £7.3 billion in capital funding for local highways maintenance and reiterated that local authorities do not need to wait for fatalities before taking action.

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