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Road safety beacon shortlist announced

11 authorities have moved a stage closer to achieving beacon status for road safety.  

The government's Improvement and Development Agency (IDeA) announced the shortlist on Friday 4 November. The authorities, all of which have shown evidence of excellence and innovation and a commitment to sharing their expertise with others, are:

• Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council
• Darlington Borough Council
• Devon County Council
• Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council
• Lancashire County Council
• Lincolnshire County Council
• London Borough of Bexley
• Norfolk County Council
• Northamptonshire County Council
• Nottingham City Council
• Transport for London

Marianne Hood, chair of the advisory panel on beacon councils, said: "I am delighted with the number of high-quality applications we received from authorities in round seven of the scheme. The panel was very impressed by the range of innovative approaches to creating or improving services, which really make a difference to people's lives.

"Many of the applicants who were not shortlisted had valuable experience and good practice that they could share with other authorities. The IDeA will be looking at ways to promote this expertise."

The shortlisted authorities progress to the next stage of the selection process, which includes site visits and presentations. Successful applicants will be announced next March 2006.

The beacon scheme is a cross-government initiative. Ministers collectively select themes, and decide which authorities should be awarded beacon status.