At BCfm, we’ve always been committed to keeping our communities informed, engaged, and safe.
That’s why we’re beyond excited to announce that we’ve been awarded £40,000 from The Road Safety Trust to launch our brand-new initiative – the ‘Community Radio Road Safety Project’.
This project is in partnership with the University of the West of England and Avon & Somerset Police, and will bring vital road safety awareness directly to the communities we serve throughout Bristol and the West of England region.
Road safety is something that affects us all, whether we’re drivers, cyclists, or pedestrians.
Every day, thousands of people travel through our city and surrounding areas, and unfortunately, road traffic accidents remain a serious concern.
With this in mind, we’re stepping up to play our part in making our roads safer by using the power of local radio to spread the message.
So, what does the project involve?
The Community Radio Road Safety Project is all about giving local people a voice in tackling road safety.
We’ll be hosting a series of focus groups with residents across the region, asking them to share their thoughts on road safety issues and what needs to be addressed.
These discussions will help us create a set of localised road safety announcements that reflect the real concerns of the communities they’re designed to serve.
But that’s not all.
As part of the project, we’ll also be developing a Community Radio Road Safety Toolkit, which will be made available to other local radio stations across the UK. This toolkit will contain all the resources and guidance necessary to set up similar road safety campaigns in other areas, ensuring that the work we do here in Bristol can have a far-reaching impact.
Why now?
The rise in road traffic, particularly with more cyclists and pedestrians and e-scooters using shared spaces, has made road safety a pressing issue. We believe that by engaging local communities directly and crafting messages that resonate with their unique experiences, we can make our roads safer and potentially save lives.
BCfm has always been more than just a radio station; we’re a part of the fabric of our communities, and this project allows us to continue that mission in a new and exciting way.
Here’s what our CEO Patrick Hart had to say: “We are absolutely thrilled to receive this grant from the Road Safety Trust. This funding will allow us to make a real difference in Bristol and the West of England, empowering our communities to be safer on the roads. It’s a fantastic opportunity for us to work with listeners to deliver targeted road safety messages that really resonate.”
Our Development Lead Marcus Smith also shared his thoughts: “Road safety is an issue that impacts everyone, and this project is all about giving communities a voice in how we approach it. By working closely with local residents, we can produce safety messages that are more relevant, more effective, and more likely to change behaviours.”
What’s next?
We’ll be reaching out to local communities to begin our focus group sessions, please do get in touch if you are interested, and we’ll soon start broadcasting our targeted road safety messages. Stay tuned to BCfm for updates on how the project progresses.
With your help, we can make the roads of Bristol – and beyond – safer for everyone.
