Local authorities continue to face shrinking budgets and shifting political priorities, placing increasing pressure on road safety teams to maintain high-quality services while demonstrating value for money.

This presentation explores how East Riding of Yorkshire Council has adapted to this challenge through the development of a flexible, self-funding model that sustains both road safety education and sustainable transport initiatives.

The Council’s integrated team delivers a broad portfolio of programmes, including behaviour-change activities, Modeshift initiatives, the School Crossing Patrol Service, Travel Planning and Bikeability training.

Central to the model is a team of eight Road Safety Instructors, whose roles—while anchored in Bikeability delivery—have been intentionally designed to support a wider range of road safety interventions. This dual-function approach maximises workforce capacity and ensures year-round utilisation of skilled staff, while still providing full employment security and benefits.

Financial sustainability is achieved through a combination of Bikeability grant funding (allocated per child trained) and income generated by charging schools for additional road safety interventions. This structure allows the team to remain resilient amid political variability, safeguarding essential services without reliance on fluctuating core budgets.

Julie Turrell, Road Safety Manager, East Riding of Yorkshire Council

Julie Turrell is the Road Safety Manager for East Riding of Yorkshire Council.

Having retired as a police officer with 30 years' service, Julie now manages a team of 14 staff delivering road safety and sustainable transport interventions and campaigns across East Yorkshire.

She is a keen cyclist who voluntarily leads rides as part of the British Cycling Breeze and Guided Ride programmes.

Kester Sharpe & David Pullingher, Road Safety Officers, East Riding of Yorkshire Council

Kester Sharpe a Road Safety Instructor and David Pullinger is a retired police officer, both of whom now oversee the delivery of schools engagement and the self-funding model. 

Kester is a lifelong Scout, which has seen her do everything from running her local Scout group to travelling all over the UK and the world.

Dave, originally from Hampshire and having worked in London for over 30 years, is now loving life in East Riding.