GRCC launches updated CARS toolkit for communities

Gloucestershire's communities are set to benefit from GRCC's recently updated Community Approaches to Road Safety (CARS) toolkit, aimed at providing them with a practical resource to help improve road safety in their area.  The toolkit was originally developed by GRCC in partnership with communities, Gloucestershire County Council (GCC) and the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC), and may also provide communities with ideas to submit to the County's new Community Speedwatch Fund.

GRCC is running launch events in partnership with GCC and OPCC in September and October in the four rural districts, which will give communities an opportunity to hear more about the toolkit and Fund, and to speak to those involved.  Parishes can book a place at any one of the events by contacting GRCC at info@grcc.org.uk or by telephoning us on 01452 528491.  We will be visiting your area on the dates below:

Date District Venue
Wednesday, 21 September Tewkesbury & Cheltenham Stoke Orchard Community Centre
Wednesday, 28 September Stroud & Gloucester Pavilion in the Park, Cainscross
Thursday, 29 September Cotswolds Westwoods Centre, Northleach
Thursday, 6 October Forest of Dean Wesley Centre, Cinderford

The events will run from 6.30pm to 8.30pm, with refreshments from 6pm.

Barbara Piranty, GRCC's CEO, said: "This is a really important community resource and one that is much needed based on what we know to be a top priority for communities affected by traffic and speeding.  We hope it can be used to inspire community action around the county and provide ideas with which to apply for the County's Community Speedwatch Fund."

County Councillor Dave Norman MBE, Cabinet Member for Road Safety Policy, added: "Myself and colleagues across the county have been working hard on a range of initiatives to improve road safety for all people in Gloucestershire.  In addition to the new policy and £600,000 Community Speedwatch Fund, the refreshed CARS Toolkit will be a vital tool in equipping communities to tackle speeding and improve their safety.  The roadshows hosted by GRCC offers a great opportunity to find out more about these initiatives and I look forward to meeting many members of our communities there."

Nick Evans, Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner and Chair of Safer Gloucestershire, said: "We should all be able to use our roads safely, without having to deal with vehicles speeding past us an putting people at risk.  I know that there are many communities in Gloucestershire that care about road safety and that's why I wanted to help refresh this excellent toolkit as part of our commitment to empower communities and help us make our County safer.

"There are real practical solutions in this guide to help prevent this sort of anti-social behaviour, including taking part in Gloucestershire Police's Community Speedwatch+ initiative.  With these easy to follow suggestions for communities, I hope we'll see a real community movement to improve road safety in Gloucestershire."