New 'one day a week' transport jobs slammed as campaigners say region 'at critical point'

Road safety campaigners in Birmingham have criticised two new transport commissioner roles for 'not reflecting the scale of the challenge' faced on city streets. West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker launched a search today (November 6) to find a new Road Safety Commissioner and an Active Travel Commissioner, who will both work one day a week and be paid an honorarium of £200 per day.

But the Better Streets for Birmingham campaign group said it believed this represented a downgrade to the previous Cycling and Walking Commissioner role. It raised concerns the active travel commissioner role had been reduced from working three days a week to one day while pay had been cut by more than 40 per cent.

A spokesperson for the Mayor's office refuted the criticism however saying it did not want to waste taxpayer's money on duplicating work already carried out by officers employed by Transport for West Midlands. In its statement, Better Streets for Birmingham said cycling and walking projects were running five years behind and the new commissioner would need to "fiercely protect future funding".

READ MORE: Hunt for new commissioners to make West Midlands' roads safer and encourage active travel now on

It also said "the scale and complexity of the road safety challenge is vast for a part time volunteer". Martin Price, Policy lead at Better Streets for Birmingham, said: "We regret the outcome of the Mayor’s six-month reshaping of these roles.

"Our region is at a critical point – the number of pedestrians being killed on our roads has increased in the last year and delivery of life saving infrastructure is snail paced at best. In this context, many residents will be rightly disappointed that while London can pay £110,000 a year for their active travel commissioner, the West Midlands could only find £20,000 for two roles instrumental to their family’s safety.

"It’s difficult to see how these national anomalies can fulfil their responsibilities and continue to drive the regional change required. These roles do not reflect the scale or urgency of the challenge."

Mr Parker, who launched the Regional Road Safety Action Plan 2024-2030 at the National Road Safety Conference in Birmingham today (November 6), said: "Road safety across the West Midlands is a top priority. I’ve structured the roles of the Road Safety Commissioner - alongside the Active Travel Commissioner - to achieve meaningful outcomes, supporting the delivery of our Regional Road Safety Action Plan.

Join our Best of Brum WhatsApp community here

"These roles are purposefully distinct from our full-time staff positions. The WMCA already has a dedicated Road Safety Manager, supported by colleagues across our organisation who are fully committed to road safety. The intent here is not to duplicate efforts, but to enhance our strategy.

"The Road Safety Commissioner will also work closely with West Midlands PCC, Simon Foster, fostering alignment between our organisations. We are the only Combined Authority in the country with a dedicated Road Safety Commissioner. In the last year alone, road tragedies have devastated hundreds of families in the West Midlands.

"As Mayor, I’m committed to addressing this issue head-on. My role is to deliver meaningful change and improve the lives of West Midlands residents – that’s the difference I intend to make, and that’s how I hope to be judged."

A spokesperson for the Mayor’s Office added: "Most people would consider around £200 a day for a voluntary role a good wage. We are not in the business of spending taxpayers money on duplicating jobs that already exist. These roles compliment the full-time officers, they do not replace them.

"Road Safety is vital, that’s why the Mayor is launching a Road Safety Action Plan today at the National Road Safety Conference. But to do this will take a concerted effort by the Mayor, Combined Authority, Police and Crime Commissioner, Fire Services, Councils, West Midlands Police, and all of our communities - and the Road Safety Commissioner will work across all of those areas."