‘VITAL’ speed indicator devices available to use at hotspots across Barnsley are dwarfed by the town’s South Yorkshire neighbours, according to councillors who have called for more to be purchased.
It was revealed at a recent full council meeting that Barnsley’s stockpile of seven SIDs, which can move across the borough, have helped reduce instances of speeding at more than 100 locations in just an 18-month period.
However, new data - revealed by Barnsley’s contingent of Liberal Democrat councillors - reveals the seven pale into insignificance when compared with Kirklees Council’s 44 Rotherham’s 66.
Coun Steve Hunt, who represents Darton East, called on Barnsley Council to ring-fence funding in order to purchase more devices.
He told the Chronicle: “I queried the number of SIDs in operation throughout the borough.
“These road safety devices warn motorists when they are exceeding the speed limit through a ‘slow down’ message.
“In his response, Coun James Higginbottom, the cabinet member for environment and highways, revealed that the council had seven of these devices.
“Six of these move to different locations through a rolling programme, with one being in a fixed location.
“Coun Higginbottom stated that data collected from these devices indicates a positive impact on driver behaviour, with average speed reductions of nine per cent across all sites in 2024, and some locations experiencing reductions of over 20 per cent.
“I am a big fan of SIDs and I am keen to see more of them.
“I have been in touch with geographical neighbours to see how many SIDs they have so I would hope there are plans to increase the number on the highway network to comparable levels.”
Annual statistics from the Department for Transport (DfT) for last year show 508 recorded casualties and nine deaths which, collectively, is an 18 per cent increase on the previous year’s figures.
However, as part of the Vision Zero strategy, it is hoped the use of mobile SIDs will help reduce drivers’ speeds.
Coun Hunt added: “The council has bold ambitions, which I support, to reduce the number of killed and seriously injured on our roads by at least 50 per cent by 2030.
“What I don’t see are the actions required to achieve those ambitions.
“A huge expansion of the SID programme to match the levels that they have in Rotherham and Kirklees would be a good start.”
Coun Higginbottom said a joined-up approach - including authorities and drivers - was key to reducing incidents.
“Keeping road users in Barnsley safe is of utmost importance to us - every single death or serious injury is a tragedy, and one casualty is too many.
“While it is concerning to see an increase of 18 per cent in the number of casualties during 2023, the figure is still lower than pre-pandemic levels and the total number of fatal accidents on our roads accounts for less than two per cent of the incidents recorded.
“Accidents involving cyclists reduced and collisions involving 17 to 24 year olds and people over 60 are also both down when compared to 2022.
“We continue to work with our partners in the Barnsley Safer Road Partnership to reduce casualties and make safety a priority in planning, design, operation and using our roads.
“Our six mobile devices are rotated to different locations every four weeks.
“The programme was initiated in October 2023 with four devices but due to the high volume of requests from members and residents, we added two more devices in October 2024.
“Since their deployment, the original four devices have been continuously operational and to date we have installed these devices at 94 different sites across the borough.
“Data collected indicates a positive impact on driver behaviour, with average speed reductions of nine per cent across all sites in 2024, and some locations experiencing reductions of over 20 per cent.”
