Leeds Anchors unite on road safety as network backs West Yorkshire’s Vision Zero campaign

*** Issued on behalf of the Leeds Anchors Network***

Picture caption: Members from the Leeds Anchors Network with Arlo the Owl (official mascot for safe and sustainable travel in Leeds) pledging their support to Vision Zero

The Leeds Anchors Network, comprising of 13 of the city’s largest employers, has announced a major joint commitment to road safety by formally signing up to the city's Vision Zero campaign.

The Leeds Anchors institutions which span healthcare, education, local government, culture and utilities have pledged their commitment to play their part in helping to eliminate all traffic fatalities and severe injuries on the roads of Leeds and the wider West Yorkshire region by 2040.

This joint initiative comes as part of a broader, sustained effort by the Leeds Anchors to collaborate across key strategic areas. By pulling together on challenges—such as employment and procurement—the network continues to leverage its shared buying, hiring, and operational power for the direct benefit of Leeds residents.

By supporting the Vision Zero campaign and pledging support, the Anchors across their respective organisations  will promote safe driving behaviours, ensure fleet safety standards are upheld, advocating for safer speeds in built-up areas, and supporting sustainable, active travel alternatives for staff. Last week the network also revealed a new  Active Travel Hub map which shows which active travel hubs people can use and where there are facilities to access bikes, active travel advice, or support for their journeys. 

Peter Slee, VC Leeds Becket and chair of the Leeds Anchor Network said:

"The Leeds Anchors Network exists to drive positive change for our communities across the city by working as one. Road safety isn't just an infrastructure issue; it’s a public health and quality-of-life priority that impacts every single person living and working in Leeds.

"By aligning our organisations with the Vision Zero strategy, we are making a clear, collective statement. Whether it is through updating our staff travel policies, reviewing our supply chain logistics, or promoting safer commuting habits, the city’s major employers are fully committed to creating a safer, healthier environment for everyone."

Councillor Peter Carlill, Leeds City Council’s executive member for transport and planning, said:

"Leeds has been clear in its ambition to eliminate all road deaths and serious injuries by 2040, and that ambition can only be achieved through collective action. The commitment from the Leeds Anchors Network demonstrates the vital role our largest organisations play in influencing behaviours, improving safety standards, and supporting a shift towards safer, more sustainable travel.

"By embedding Vision Zero principles into their operations - from fleet management to staff travel choices, these organisations are helping to create safer streets not just for their employees, but for everyone who lives, works and travels in our city. This is exactly the kind of leadership and partnership we need to make Vision Zero a reality.”

The Anchors' commitment will see individual institutions rollout internal awareness campaigns, promote the West Yorkshire Vision Zero Pledge to staff, and look at practical ways to reduce operational road risk across the city centre and surrounding neighbourhoods.

Notes to Editors

Photo caption full names, from left to right: Mariana Pexton, Deputy Chief Executive, Leeds City Council; Gary Bartlett, Chief Officer for Highways and Transportation, Leeds City Council; Eileen Brown, Customer Experience Director, Northern Gas Networks; Councillor Peter Carlill, Executive Member for Transport and Planning, Leeds City Council; Jenny Wilkinson, Stakeholder Engagement and Research Lead, Northern Gas Networks; Charles Egbu, Vice Chancellor, Leeds Trinity University; Thom Cooper, Head of Sustainability, University of Leeds; Fiona Bolam, Chief Officer for Economy and Skills, Leeds City Council.

About the Leeds Anchors Network

The Leeds Anchors Network brings together the city’s main public and private sector institutions to look at how, by working together, they can use their significant local influence, procurement power, and employment practices to benefit the economy and people of Leeds. Members include Leeds City Council, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, the University of Leeds, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds College, Leeds Trinity University, British Library, Royal Armouries, Northern Gas Networks, DHSC.

Leeds Vision Zero

In 2022 Leeds City Council launched it's ambition to eradicate all road deaths and serious injuries on the roads of Leeds by 2040, we call this Vision Zero.

The strategy focuses on the safe system approach - safe roads, behaviours, speeds, vehicles and an effective post collision response. Under each of these themes sit objectives for the short and longer term but at the strategy’s heart is the message that everyone has a responsibility to keep people safe on our roads, and we must all work together to create lasting change.

The Vision Zero Pledge was launched alongside the strategy and asks members of the public, and organisations, to sign and make a commitment to improve road safety.

The pledge asks you to make a personal commitment such as driving at appropriate speeds for the conditions, giving road users enough space when passing, submitting dashcam footage to the police or maintaining your vehicle for instance.