Key Points
- Greater Manchester Police (GMP) has launched Operation Classify to target high-risk roads in Bolton, aiming to reduce serious collisions and fatalities1.
- Bolton recorded 71 serious collisions in 2022, including nine fatalities, with trends continuing into 20231.
- Excessive speeding, drink and drug driving, and poor driver standards are the main causes of road traffic collisions in Bolton1.
- GMP recruited an additional 60 dedicated roads policing officers as part of a significant uplift to enhance proactive policing and public education across Greater Manchester2.
- GMP has established a third Roads Policing base at Whitefield, improving coverage and service delivery in northern Greater Manchester2.
- Greater Manchester is adopting the Vision Zero strategy, aiming to eliminate all traffic fatalities and serious injuries by applying a Safe Systems approach2.
- The Road Danger Reduction Action Plan 2023/24 outlines strategic goals, including public consultation and partnership working to improve road safety2.
- Chief Superintendent Helen Critchley, Bolton’s new District Commander, prioritises road safety, community engagement, and reducing vehicle collisions and fatalities3.
- GMP and local partners use data-driven approaches and community feedback to identify and target high-harm routes in Bolton13.
- Public awareness campaigns, electronic message boards, and community initiatives like Community Speed Watch and Active Neighbourhoods support road safety efforts2.
What Is Operation Classify and How Does It Aim to Improve Road Safety in Bolton?
As reported by Greater Manchester Police on 8 February 2024, Operation Classify is a targeted policing initiative by Bolton’s Prevention Hub focused on high-risk road routes identified through data analysis and community feedback1. The operation aims to reduce death and serious injury on Bolton’s roads, which suffered 71 serious collisions in 2022, including nine fatalities. This worrying trend has continued into 2023.
Inspector Nick Bonson from the Bolton Prevention Hub explained that the operation involves increased police presence on selected routes and times of day to deter dangerous driving behaviours such as speeding, drink and drug driving, and poor driver standards. Electronic message boards on Bolton’s roads display preventative messages tailored to specific routes, encouraging safer driving1.
Bonson emphasised the collaborative nature of the initiative, thanking Bolton Council and Transport for Greater Manchester for their partnership in identifying high-risk routes. He warned drivers that dangerous behaviour will be met with enforcement, stating, “If you are driving dangerously, on your phone behind the wheel or driving under the influence of drink or drugs, we will catch up with you”1.
How Has Greater Manchester Police Enhanced Roads Policing Capacity?
According to the Greater Manchester Police, Fire and Crime Panel report from July 2023, GMP has significantly increased investment in roads policing as part of a broader Road Danger Reduction (RDR) approach. This includes recruiting 60 additional dedicated roads policing officers, marking the largest specialist officer increase in a decade2.
This uplift enables GMP to be more proactive, combining enforcement with public education. The Roads Policing Unit has also opened a third base in Whitefield, enhancing coverage and service delivery in the northern parts of Greater Manchester2. GMP’s Roads Policing Unit continues to expand its capabilities with plans for further investment to improve efficiency and income generation, particularly within the Motorway and Commercial Vehicle Unit functions2.
What Is Greater Manchester’s Vision Zero Strategy and How Will It Be Implemented?
The Greater Manchester Road Danger Reduction Action Plan for 2023/24 commits to officially adopting Vision Zero, an international road safety ambition to eliminate all traffic fatalities and serious injuries while promoting safe, healthy, and equitable mobility for all2.
Dame Sarah Storey, GM Active Travel Commissioner, announced the ambition to adopt Vision Zero in Spring 2024 at the Big Active Conversation event on 5 June 2023. The strategy uses a Safe Systems approach, which includes components such as Safe Behaviours, Safe Streets, Safe Speeds, Safe Vehicles, and efficient Post Incident Response2.
A long-term strategic plan is being developed, drawing on international best practices, to set casualty reduction targets, key performance indicators, and priority areas for action. Public consultation on the draft strategy is scheduled for Autumn 2023 to ensure community support and input. Following consultation, the strategy will be formally adopted with partner workshops to foster ownership and collaboration2.
Who Is Chief Superintendent Helen Critchley and What Are Her Priorities for Bolton?
Chief Superintendent Helen Critchley, appointed as Bolton’s new District Commander in December 2024, has made road safety a key priority for the district. As reported by GMP on 3 December 2024, Critchley is committed to working closely with local partners and the community to identify high-harm routes and implement tangible solutions to reduce road traffic collisions and fatalities3.
Critchley’s policing career began in 2003 in Tameside, inspired by her experience working in a law firm and a desire to protect victims of crime. She has extensive experience in serious crime and intelligence roles, recently leading teams in Manchester and Stockport3.
Since taking command in Bolton, Critchley has led proactive road safety operations at collision hotspots and emphasises community engagement to foster safer driving behaviours. She stated, “Getting people to take extra care on the road can help protect people”3.
Beyond road safety, Critchley is also focused on reducing retail crime and tackling domestic violence, aiming to improve community cohesion and safety across Bolton3.
What Other Road Safety Initiatives Are Underway in Greater Manchester?
The Greater Manchester Road Danger Reduction Action Plan highlights several complementary initiatives:
- Safety Camera Upgrades: Replacement of 91 spot speed cameras with new technology began in June 2023, with completion expected in Summer 2024. Conversion of some routes to average speed cameras is also being explored2.
- Community Speed Watch: This programme enables communities to monitor and report speeding, with groups active or forming in areas including North Manchester, Bury, Hyde, Stockport, and Wigan2.
- Active Neighbourhoods: Community-led schemes aim to reduce traffic speed and volume, create safer routes, improve lighting and greenery, and encourage walking, cycling, and wheeling2.
- Safe Drive Stay Alive: An award-winning performance-based road safety intervention targeting 16-25-year-olds, delivered in collaboration with emergency services and NHS trusts. The programme marks its 10th anniversary in Greater Manchester in November 2023, aiming to reach 9,000 students2.
How Are Communities Being Engaged in Road Safety Efforts?
Community engagement is central to GMP’s road safety strategy. Chief Superintendent Helen Critchley emphasises the importance of open dialogue between police and the public to prevent and solve crime, including road safety issues3. The ‘Bee in the Loop’ service provides residents with free text or email alerts about local policing activities, encouraging community involvement3.
Public consultation on the Vision Zero strategy will further involve residents in shaping road safety policies. Community groups are also encouraged to participate in initiatives such as Community Speed Watch and Active Neighbourhoods to create safer local environments2.
What Are the Recent Trends in Road Safety Statistics in Greater Manchester?
According to the Greater Manchester Police, Fire and Crime Panel report, there was a 23.6% reduction in killed or seriously injured (KSI) casualties in 2021 compared to the 2017-2019 average, with 858 KSIs in 2021 versus 1,123 previously. However, fatalities increased by 9% in 2021 compared to 2020, with 73 deaths recorded. This fatality figure represents a 35% increase compared to the 2017-2019 average of 54 deaths2.
Provisional figures for 2022 estimate 850 KSI casualties and 64 fatalities, though detailed breakdowns by road user type are pending further validation2. These statistics underscore the urgency of ongoing and enhanced road safety interventions across Greater Manchester.
This comprehensive approach combining increased policing, strategic planning, community engagement, and technology upgrades aims to create safer roads and reduce fatalities and serious injuries in Bolton and Greater Manchester.