LAYING IT ON THE LINE

Thursday, 27 October 2011 14:31

RSMA makes its case to Select Committee

Standards, compliance and research are the key areas the Government needs to address if it is to achieve the goals set out in its Strategic Framework for Road Safety, the Road Safety Markings Association has told the Transport Select Committee.

In its evidence to the Select Committee inquiry into the Government’s road safety framework, the RSMA insists that the only way the delicate balance of satisfying the demands of the debt crisis, whilst continuing to improve the UK road safety record, can be kept is by a more rigorous approach to standards and a more objective and enlightened attitude to commissioning research.

The RSMA also sounds a warning bell on the Government’s commitment to localism at any cost. In its evidence to the committee, the association supports the knowledge, expertise and experience of highways engineers operating in local authorities being used to best effect and supports local decisions that are made in light of local and unique circumstances. However, it voices its concern that central Government’s dogmatic adherence to a localism agenda may result in a lowering of standards, of road markings in particular, on local authority controlled roads.