News and Events
Here you’ll find the latest news on all the work Merseyside Road Safety Partnership and partners are doing to increase road safety across Merseyside. For details of our community road safety initiatives click here.
Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for live updates. If you’d like more information about an event, you can get in touch via our contact page.
People have the right to travel safely throughout our region, without the fear of being killed or seriously injured.

The sad truth is that our region continues to see far too many people killed or suffer serious, life-changing injury on our roads. These road collisions devastate lives, families, and communities.
Deaths and serious injuries on the road are neither acceptable nor inevitable – they are preventable.
As a result, too many people still feel that cycling on our roads or travelling on foot poses an unacceptable risk to their safety.
The strategy covers:
- VISION AND AIMS
- BACKGROUND
- THE MERSEYSIDE ROAD SAFETY PARTNERSHIP
- FUNDING AND DELIVERY
- VISION ZERO
To read the strategy in full, click here LCR Road Safety Strategy
RoadPeace will be holding a ceremony in remembrance of all road crash victims on what will be the 25th anniversary of the death of Diana, Princess of Wales. The ceremony will take place on Wednesday 31st August at 2pm, with a Dove release at 2.45pm.
All road crash victims are to be remembered in this special ceremony, which will take place at the Lady Chapel, Liverpool Anglican Cathedral, St James Mount, Liverpool L1 7A.
RoadPeace North West, the road crash victims charity, is inviting those who have been bereaved or injured through road crashes, together with those who support them.
During the service, flowers will be laid in remembrance of loved ones who have died and photographs of them will be shown. A minute’s silence will be held during the ceremony.
The service will be attended by Supt Clare Jenkins and Police Cadets, the Police and Crime Commissioner Emily Spurrel, dignitaries as well as families and friends of those killed and injured on our roads. Bootle MP Peter Dowd who lost his daughter in a road crash is due to speak.
After the service, five doves will be released in memory of loved ones, as each day five people die on the roads of this country. Following this there will be refreshments and the opportunity to talk to each other.
The remembrance takes place on the 25th anniversary of the death of Diana, Princess of Wales, who died in a road crash. Pauline Fielding, a trustee of RoadPeace and organiser of the event, believes remembrance plays a vital role in reminding society about the high number of victims and highlights the long term psychological impact on those bereaved or injured.
She said:
My son Andrew was killed in 1994 in a crash caused by a driver who did not stay at the scene and who was never traced. Since then I have campaigned for justice for him and to help reduce dangers on the road where he died, to help prevent others experiencing the loss of a loved one.
That day changed my life and that of so many others. I was helped practically and emotionally by RoadPeace. I urge all those bereaved or injured by road crashes, together with those who support them, to join us at the remembrance.
Click here to view the invitation
RoadPeace has a special helpline number 0845 450 0355 and more information about the organisation can be found on the website roadpeace.org
RoadPeace contact information for Editors/Media: For more information please contact the RoadPeace office: 0207 733 1603 or Pauline Fielding: 0151 342 6381 / 07703 357 504 or via email.
Summer Cycling Events in St Helens, Newton-le-Willows and Rainford
Come and have your bike checked and marked by the Road Safety Team and Partners at their FREE Cycling Event
What’s happening:
- Dr Bike session delivered by Bikeright mechanic
- Merseyside Police carrying out security bike marking
- Road Safety Team offering free helmet checks, information and advice
- Community Safety Team offering advice and free goodies to keep you safe
- FREE Adult Cycle Training (bikes and helmets provided)
TO BOOK:
To book a place for the FREE Adult Cycle Training please email: merseysideoffice@bikeright.co.uk stating which location you would prefer or telephone 0151 207 3140.
MORE INFO:
For more information, contact the Road Safety Team via email: roadsafety@sthelens.gov.uk or check out the council’s website/Twitter/Facebook feeds
Locations for the Summer Cycle Events:
Thursday 4th August
Rainford Village Hall, Church Rd, Rainford WA11 8HB
Tuesday 23rd August
Mesnes Park, Newton-le-Willows WA12 9TA
Wednesday 31st August
The Shining Light, Sutton Manor Primary, St Helens WA9 4AT
Thursday 1st September
Queens Park Leisure Centre, St Helens WA10 2LT
Supported by

Cycle Routes & Road Safety Information
Opening up miles of cycling in Merseyside
Merseyside Road Safety Partnership have produced cycle route maps for Knowsley, St Helens and Wirral (Liverpool’s and Sefton’s maps will be ready in 2022). These maps provide you with travel options across Merseyside. They offer routes for everyone – whether you’re cycling to work, for necessity, joining up a journey or for leisure. There’s also road safety information to help keep you safe and details of local resources for cyclists. The maps are available in libraries, leisure centres and other community venues throughout Merseyside.
There are a number of reasons why cycling is a great way to get around Merseyside.
Cycling regularly…
- Lowers your chances of developing heart disease by 50%.
- Helps to protect you from some cancers, diabetes, arthritis, obesity and reduce the risk of a heart attack or stroke.
- Increases your heart rate, which in turn strengthens your heart muscle and lowers your blood pressure.
- Reduces your levels of cortisol – known as the ‘stress hormone’.
- Allows for the rapid spread of ‘good substances’ like endorphins, etc. to boost your positive mental state.
- Promotes healthy weight management, increasing your metabolism to help you burn calories.
It’s a cheaper and quicker way to travel
- Bikes are cheaper to buy and maintain than motorised vehicles.
- There’s no fuel or parking costs.
- If you are commuting, cycling can often be quicker than driving. Use the map to find the best route for you!
What you’ll discover
Cycling can reward you with a real sense of freedom. The physical, mental, financial and environmental benefits are well documented. Put simply, cycling is good for you and fun!

Cycle Training & Skills Sessions
Merseyside Road Safety Partnership and Liverpool Combined Authority are working with BikeRight! to provide FREE 1 to 1, Group, Family and Child cycle skills and training sessions with a qualified BikeRight! cycle instructor for anyone who lives, works or studies in Merseyside.
For more info and how to book click here.
FAQ’s:
> WHERE ARE THE SESSIONS HELD?
We come to you or a place that suits you.
> WHAT DO I NEED TO BRING?
Just bring your bike and helmet.
> HOW LONG IS THE SESSION?
2 hours.
> HOW DO I BOOK A PLACE?
For full details about the types of sessions available and to book, click the link above, register on the BikeRight! website and follow their instructions.
Cycling Organisations:
National cycling organisations provide cyclists with a number of services from technical advice to legal aid. They also campaign on behalf of all cyclists.
https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/
https://bikeability.org.uk/cycle-more/where-to-ride/find-a-group-or-event/

Reporting anti–social driving
An important part of improving the roads for cyclists is gathering information about dangerous or anti-social driving to Merseyside Police. Video footage can be submitted on the force’s website. Without video footage, it’s hard for the police to take action. It’s incredibly helpful, therefore, for cyclists to have a camera fitted either on their helmet or bike so that any incidents are captured, and can be dealt with by Merseyside Police.
When collisions or near miss incidents are reported this information can be used to help to inform local councils of potential locations that may need to be improved. Every reported incident helps them to build a clearer picture. We will be adding information about how to report an issue soon.
Local resources in Merseyside
Knowsley:
Click here Active Travel in the Liverpool City Region | Merseytravel for information about:
- Joining up a journey – services and storage
- Cycling Groups
- Cycle Shops and Cycle Maintenance Services
How to report a road defect in Knowsley:
Poor surface quality or potholes can be dangerous for cyclists, to report such an issue in Knowsley, please email: knowsley.highways@tarmac.com
Cycle Route Map
Printed copies of the Knowsley cycling map are available from Merseytravel and community venues. You can also download a copy of the map here.
Liverpool:
Click here Active Travel in the Liverpool City Region | Merseytravel for information about:
- Joining up a journey – services and storage
- Cycling Groups
- Cycle Shops and Cycle Maintenance Services
How to report a road defect in Liverpool:
Poor surface quality or potholes can be dangerous for cyclists, to report such an issue in Liverpool, please click here: Report a problem with a road or pavement and follow the instructions.
Sefton:
Click here Active Travel in the Liverpool City Region | Merseytravel for information about:
- Joining up a journey – services and storage
- Cycling Groups
- Cycle Shops and Cycle Maintenance Services
How to report a road defect in Sefton:
Poor surface quality or potholes can be dangerous for cyclists, to report such an issue in Sefton, please click here:
Highway Issues and follow the instructions.
St Helens:
Click here Active Travel in the Liverpool City Region | Merseytravel for information about:
- Joining up a journey – services and storage
- Cycling Groups
- Cycle Shops and Cycle Maintenance Services
How to report a road defect in St Helens:
Poor surface quality or potholes can be dangerous for cyclists, to report such an issue in St Helens, please click here: Report a Problem and follow the instructions.
Cycle Route Map
Printed copies of the St Helens cycling maps are available from Merseytravel and community venues. You can also download a copy of the maps here – St Helens Overview and St Helens Map 2 .
Wirral:
Click here Active Travel in the Liverpool City Region | Merseytravel for information about:
- Joining up a journey – services and storage
- Cycling Groups
- Cycle Shops and Cycle Maintenance Services
How to report a road defect in Wirral:
Poor surface quality or potholes can be dangerous for cyclists, to report such an issue in Wirral, please click here: Potholes and Road Damage and follow the instructions.
Cycle Route Map
Printed copies of the Wirral cycling map are available from Merseytravel and community venues. You can also download a copy of the map here.
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Our Road Safety Pledge
Why not join us by taking The Pledge to show your commitment to road safety? To find out more information click here.
Communities from all over Merseyside are being celebrated for supporting an initiative to improve road safety where they live.
In support of the UK’s biggest road safety week (15-21 November), Merseyside Road Safety Partnership, along with road safety charity ‘Brake’, are shining the spotlight on road safety heroes.
Safer Roads Watch is an initiative from the Merseyside Road Safety Partnership that enables people who are concerned about speeding, anti-social road use and pavement obstruction to work with police and local authorities to address these issues and to raise awareness among drivers of the how they affect communities. People can become a police volunteer and be trained to operate speed watch operations with police, in which speeding drivers are sent a pack containing a letter advising them of their speeding and advice about how they can contribute to road safety in Merseyside.
Volunteer residents’ groups and school groups are supplied with materials to help them promote the scheme including wheelie bin stickers and ‘Pavement Parking’ cards which can be left on cars which obstruct pavements.
Paul Mountford from the Merseyside Road Safety Partnership said:
This is a great opportunity for communities to come together with police, local authorities and potentially local businesses to change the way in which their roads are used or misused. Speeding and anti-social driving are a significant problem for police and councils to deal with and cause concern for parents and the most vulnerable in society. Excessive and inappropriate speed are also factors in many collisions that result in serious injury and road death.
There are several community groups established in Merseyside, including Wirral, where there are over 30 residents either ‘signed up’ or in the process of becoming volunteers.
Chief Supt Zoe Thornton, Head of Local Policing in Merseyside said:
Speeding and anti-social driving are some of the most common complaints that our officers receive every week. Through Safer Roads Watch, we are enabling communities to help us to help them, a real partnership approach to a widespread problem. Merseyside Police will not tolerate those drivers who present a danger to other more vulnerable road users such as children and the elderly. We will enforce the speed limits on our residential roads and also welcome Safer Roads Watch which has the potential to influence drivers and change their behaviour without the associated penalties.
The individual volunteers are not the only road safety heroes being celebrated. Support is also being given to volunteer groups from businesses who provide support and promote it among their customers and staff.
Bev Raistrick, Regional Manager for DriveTech said:
DriveTech are delighted to be able to support the local communities of Merseyside by providing equipment to help them start up a new community speed watch scheme. Road safety is at the heart of DriveTech and we feel that supporting our local community to keep our roads and community safe is the right thing to do.
The Safer Roads Watch scheme is looking to recruit more road safety hero volunteers. Contact MRSP@merseyside.police.uk to find out how to sign-up.

Show your support and take The Pledge
As part of our on-going commitment to reducing the number of deaths on our roads, we ask everyone to join us and ‘take the pledge’ to be safer and more responsible road users. Whether you’re a driver, cyclist, motorcyclist or pedestrian, we all must share the responsibility and do our bit to make our roads safer.
By signing up, you will show that you are prepared to put the safety of yourself and others first and that when you undertake a journey, you do so with consideration and respect for everyone.
Support
We’ll also keep you updated with the latest initiatives, engineering solutions and enforcement activities as we continue to work towards fewer road deaths each year. You can find these updates on our website and social media pages. We’re on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
It’s easy to support us and show your commitment. Simply read the following pledge and then fill in your details and click the button to receive a pledge certificate.
The Pledge
I will:
- Consider the safety of others when I drive, walk or cycle
- Drive at an appropriate speed (often slower than the speed limit) on the roads of Merseyside
- Respect the presence of other, more vulnerable road users
- Maintain a high driving standard to influence how others use the roads
- Carry out regular checks on my vehicle, including tyres to ensure that my vehicle is safe and roadworthy
- Through my actions, I will support the aims of the Merseyside Road Safety Partnership in making our roads safer for me, my family and others and reducing road casualties
Project EDWARD – September 13th to 17th 2021
Merseyside Road Safety Partnership is pleased to be supporting Project EDWARD (Every Day Without A Road Death) again this year.
We’re encouraging the people of Merseyside to be honest and ask themselves the question ‘am I fit for the road?’. Every day from September 13th to 17th we’ll be focusing on different types of road user, and what they need to do to be playing their part in keeping themselves and others safe.
Monday 13th – Cyclists
People that cycle in Merseyside are among the most vulnerable road users. We’re asking those that cycle to question:
- Can my clothing be seen in low light?
- Do I have working lights on my bike?
- Could I benefit from more training?
- Do I know the safest cycle routes?
We hope that by encouraging every kind of road user to take accountability for their actions we can create a safe environment for all kinds of travel.
Tuesday 14th – Pedestrians
Sadly, pedestrians in Merseyside often have to face difficult challenges when choosing to use the road on foot. We want them to stay as safe as possible. We all have to ask ourselves:
- Can I be seen in low light in what I’m wearing?
- Do I always use crossings when they’re there?
- Do I ever cross behind buses?
- Do I know my highway code so I can tell who’s right of way it is?
Small changes are all part of being fit for the road and can make the crucial bit of difference.
Wednesday 15th – Drivers
People driving vehicles have the potential to cause the most damage on the road – that means they have the most important responsibilities. Every driver needs to ask themselves:
- When is my MOT due?
- Have I checked all the medicines I’m taking to make sure they’re safe to drive on?
- Is there a chance I’ll look at my phone while I’m driving if it’s in reach?
- When did I last have an eye test?
Road deaths are preventable: making sure that as drivers we’re fit for the road is critical.
Thursday 16th – Motorcyclists
Nationally, motorcyclists are at particularly high risk. It’s incredibly important that people who choose to ride motorbikes do everything they can to protect themselves when they’re riding. Ask yourself:
- Do I wear clothing that will protect me in a collision?
- Could any medication I’m taking impact my riding abilities?
- Did I check my bike over this season?
- Should I be wearing glasses when I ride?
If you’re not 100% fit for the road, remember: if there’s any doubt, there’s no doubt. Don’t ride.
Friday 17th – E-scooter users
E-scooters are a new road user group this year. Riders are vulnerable in collisions with vehicles as they are significantly more exposed. It’s critical that e-scooter riders ask themselves:
- How well do I know the highway code?
- Would I be safer wearing a helmet?
- Am I in a fit mental state to be riding? How many units of alcohol have I had?
- Is there an age limit on the scooter I’m hiring?
Hiring an e-scooter can be a great way to get around the city, but we all need to make sure we’re taking every precaution possible to stay safe.
Support us and Project EDWARD this September by challenging yourself and others with these questions and sharing them on social media.
We share the road. We share the responsibility.


Ceremony to remember victims of road crashes
Road crash victims are to be remembered in a special online ceremony filmed in front of the Peace Doves at Liverpool Cathedral.
RoadPeace North West is inviting those who have been bereaved or injured through road crashes, together with those who support them, to an online remembrance event, starting at 2pm on Tuesday 31 August.
The service usually takes place in the Lady Chapel of Liverpool Cathedral but due to the pandemic it will now take place online and will be premiered on RoadPeace’s YouTube Channel.
Canon Philip Anderson, Precentor of Liverpool Cathedral, said:
For many years RoadPeace has met in Liverpool Cathedral to remember and honour those killed on our roads, and to campaign for change. This year the service was recorded in front of the Peace Doves installation, a mass participation artwork created by Peter Walker, gathering thousands of prayers and hopes for peace, written on paper doves, and gathered together like a flock in flight in the cathedral. The display continues until the end of August and all are welcome.
Lord Mayor of Liverpool, Councillor Mary Rasmussen, who took part, said:
Every road traffic collision has a massive impact, not just on those involved but their wider family and friends, as well as the emergency services and the NHS.
This service is hugely important in raising awareness of the consequences of road collisions as well as recognising the valuable work of RoadPeace North West in supporting bereaved families and campaigning for better road safety.
The Chief Constable of Merseyside, Serena Kennedy, who also took part in the service said:
It was truly a privilege to be involved in this service, and I was incredibly moved to meet the families of people who have tragically lost their lives in collisions.
This annual event allows us the opportunity to pause and reflect on the lives lost to road traffic collisions, and show our support for their loved ones. I want to express my gratitude to RoadPeace for organising the event, and for the vitally important work they do all year round.
The day of remembrance also serves as a sobering reminder of the devastating impact collisions on our roads have had across Merseyside, and only strengthens our resolve to continue working with partners and the community to reduce the number of people killed and injured on our roads and spare other families such pain.
Emily Spurrell, Police and Crime Commissioner for Merseyside also took part in the remembrance and said:
Whilst nothing can take away the pain and suffering from losing a loved one in a road crash, RoadPeace’s annual remembrance service is an important opportunity to come together to show our support for the families who have been tragically affected.
Whilst once again we can’t meet in person, the poignant message of this service is no less important.
Crucially, it reminds us of our shared responsibility to work together to prevent other families from enduring the same loss in the future.
Improving safety is one of my policing priorities and, working with all our partners, I am committed to continuing to reduce the number of people who lose their life or suffer life-changing injuries on our roads. Together we can reduce the number of crashes on our roads and make them safe for everyone.
The remembrance takes place on the 24th anniversary of the death of Diana, Princess of Wales in a road crash and will include photographs and tributes to loved ones who have died.
Britain’s first road death also occurred in August, when Bridget Driscoll was killed at Crystal Palace on August 17th 1896, with the Coroner pronouncing: “This must never happen again”.
Since then, over half a million people have been killed in crashes in Britain and the current annual global death toll is estimated at 1.35 million deaths.
In the UK, provisional results from the Department for Transport show 1,472 people were killed and there were 115,333 casualties in 2020. Such scale of loss has been described by Professor Danny Dorling, a patron of RoadPeace, as this century’s biggest public health crisis with our roads “the open sewers of the 21st century”.
Pauline Fielding, a trustee of RoadPeace and event organiser, believes remembrance plays a vital role in reminding society about the number of victims and highlighting the long term psychological impact on those bereaved and injured in road crashes. She said:
My son Andrew was killed in a road crash, caused by a driver who did not stop and who was never traced.
Since that day, 27 years ago, I have been fighting for justice for him and to reduce dangers on the road where he died, to help prevent others also experiencing the loss of a loved one. The day Andrew died changed my life and that of so many others. I was helped emotionally and practically by RoadPeace and so I urge all those bereaved or injured by road crashes, together with those who support us, to join us in remembering our loved ones and in raising awareness to help prevent further death and injury.
We are thankful to the emergency services, all those who support us and to those who are working hard to reduce the number of people killed or injured on our roads.
If you have been affected by a crash and would like to speak to RoadPeace’s support team, the helpline number is 0845 450 0355. You can find out more about the organisation by visiting www.roadpeace.org.

Operation Brookdale
On the 15th June 2021, Merseyside Road Safety Partnership attended the crushing of seized e-scooters, scrambler bikes and other electric powered vehicles as part of ‘Operation Brookdale’.
Since Operation Brookdale’s inception the force has seen a year-on-year decrease in reports of anti-social behaviour and nuisance involving off-road motorbikes across Merseyside. In 2016-17 there were 10,511 incidents involving off-road bikes and in the last 12 months this figure stands at 5,150, a 49% reduction. However, many of our communities continue to be affected by off-road bikes and are, increasingly, affected by e-scooters.
In the last 3 months alone, the force has:
- seized a total of 183 vehicles
- made a total of 122 arrests, including for driving, theft and drug offences
- issued 143 fixed penalty notices
The threat illegal e-scooters can pose was apparent on seeing the range of those that had been seized, and were ready to be crushed for recycling. Some had the capacity travel up to 90mph – posing a real risk to the public.
Chief Inspector Paul Holden said:
The success of Operation Brookdale is commendable, but we will not let up in our efforts. Each piece of information provided to us and each bike recovered only strengthens our resolve in tackling these issues for the good of our communities.
Merseyside is a safer place with each bike seized. The number of bikes seized during this year’s operation should mean that our communities are subjected to less incidents in the future and I also hope it makes people who use off-road bikes illegally or anti-socially think very carefully about their behaviour. ”Despite our successes in seizing these bikes, we will not be complacent. We know that many of our communities continue to be blighted by scrambler bikes being ridden dangerously and I want to reassure people that our work targeting scrambler bikes will carry on throughout the year and beyond.
We will continue to be out on patrol and to take action whenever the community tells us there are problems. I would appeal to anyone with information about illegal or nuisance scrambler bikes in their areas to get in touch with us and I can assure them that we will take action.
We’re trying to raise awareness of the illegality of private e-scooters, as well as their potential dangers.
For more information about the legalities involving e-scooters, read our e-scooter article here.
Seized E-Scooters

Crushed E-Scooters

Give Drink-Driving the boot this Euro ’20
Euro ’20 – Fans urged to support each other by sharing Drink-Driving messages and planning ahead
It’s a time of huge celebration for football fans. Lockdown has made it difficult to find much to get excited about, but lots of us are looking forward to Euro ’20 – it’s something for everyone to enjoy. It’s important that we all pull together to keep ourselves and each other safe while we’re celebrating. Wherever you’re cheering the side on from, if you’re drinking, we need to make sure we work as a team so that everyone gets home safely.
If you or a friend might want to have a drink:
- book a taxi in advance
- decide who is going to be the designated driver in your group
- arrange for someone to pick you up
If you are worried that someone might drink and drive on the night, you can step-up and offer to be their designated driver.
Try reminding them that it isn’t worth the cost:
A driver over the limit ‘in charge’ may be disqualified for 12 months, fined up to £5000 and even face up to 6 month in prison. A court may also order a driver to forfeit their vehicle. They can be deemed ‘in charge’ if they have the keys to the vehicle and are nearby (not necessarily inside the vehicle). They must show that there was no likelihood of their driving the vehicle whilst they were drunk.
Police will be especially vigilant and on the lookout for people driving under the influence of alcohol and issuing road side breathe tests. Even if you are aware of how many units of alcohol you have consumed or you’ve used drinks measures, everyone processes alcohol differently – meaning that if you are stopped by the police and breathalysed you could still be over the limit, so it’s best not to drink if you think that there’s a possibility you might need to drive.
Let’s celebrate the Euros safely and make it a win for everyone.