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Road safety contacts

Nick Davies | Specialist Services Manager (Highways) | My Place | highways@lbbd.gov.uk
Lucy Foreman | Principal Transport Planning Manager | Be First | transportpolicy@befirst.london
Penny Taberman | Accident Prevention Officer  (Road Safety Education in Schools) | penny.taberman@lbbd.gov.uk
Gloria Millis | Green Travel Coordinator | Be First | transportpolicy@befirst.london |

Elected members

Cllr A Oluwole | adegboyega.oluwole@lbbd.gov.uk
Cllr D Lumsden | donna.lumsden@lbbd.gov.uk


Safer Routes to School
The Safer Routes to School initiative aims to promote safer, more environmentally sustainable and healthier ways of getting to and from school with particular emphasis on walking and cycling. To achieve this, we need to improve conditions (both in safety and the environment) on the main walking and cycling routes to school.

Schemes can include physical measures such as safer crossing points and may involve work within the school grounds.

Projects involve the investigation of school travel patterns usually carried out with the commitment to a School Travel Plan. This often identifies engineering and educational measures to improve safety and reduce car use on the route between home and school. These measures can be considered as part of a Safer Routes project and may include:

  • Pedestrian crossings, improved pavements
  • School zones, traffic calming, parking restrictions
  • Cycle routes and cycle parking
  • Road safety education, training and publicity
  • Health information
  • Personal security advice

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Advice for cyclists
Cycling in heavy traffic is extremely dangerous. It is vital that all cyclists are aware of any dangers that may occur and are knowledgeable about maintaining their bike.

GOV.UK provide a good summary of the rules for cyclists including advice on bike maintenance and safe behaviour on the road.

Bicycle lighting
Bicycle lighting is an important and legal requirement when it’s dark or when visibility is seriously reduced. To ride when dark your bike must have:

  • A working white front light
  • A red rear light
  • A red rear reflector

Cycle helmets
Cycling’s greatest danger is head injuries, and a helmet is your best defence. New helmets are far better than older models, with advances in materials making them light, comfortable, stylish and safe. If you already own a helmet check its fit. Make sure that it:

  • Feels snug and comfortable
  • Allows clear all-round vision and hearing – it should not cover your eyes or ears
  • Fits squarely on your head – don’t tilt it forwards or backwards
  • It is well ventilated
  • Most importantly – If it takes a hard knock, it is likely to be damaged. Don’t take a risk – buy a new helmet

Cycling proficiency
Cycling on roads requires competence and this can be supported by taking the The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents' (RoSPA) National Cycling Proficiency Test. It is offered to children over the age of nine for free, often through their school and generally administered by local authorities in the United Kingdom.

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Advice for drivers
Driving is an every day activity for many in the population. It is not without its risks, however, and this section provides advice and guidance for being a safe and responsible driver. Find below information for drivers for keeping yourself and others safe:

  • Get the facts on being a learner driver before you set out on the road
  • View the law for motorcyclists
  • View GOV.UK’s advice on the law on seat belts
  • Qualified drivers should: keep the windowscreen clean to avoid glare, not drive when tired or ill, check if any medication you are on can affect your driving, avoid drinking alcohol and driving, and never drive more than two hours without a break. Find the law on driving

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Address/website

Postal address
London Borough of Barking & Dagenham
Road Safety Section 
Town Hall 
Barking 
Essex 1G11 7LU 

Location Address
Maritime House
3rd Floor 
1 Linton Road 
Barking 
Essex 1G11 8HG 

www.barking-dagenham.gov.uk