A £300,000 funding pot has been launched to support projects aimed at improving driver skills and making roads across Herefordshire and the wider West Mercia area safer.

Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion and partners are inviting communities, charities, education providers and local organisations to apply for grants to deliver road safety education and promote safer behaviour.

The funding forms part of a road safety strategy developed by the PCC and West Mercia Police alongside organisations across Herefordshire, Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin and Worcestershire.

Partners say the scheme is intended to help reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured on the region’s roads.

Applications are particularly encouraged for projects supporting groups considered at greater risk, including young drivers, older motorists, motorcyclists and other vulnerable road users.

Mr Campion said: “Every death or serious injury on our roads is one too many. Behind every collision is a person, a family and a community whose lives can be changed forever.

“That is why I am committed to working with local partners, community groups and organisations to prevent these tragedies from happening in the first place.”

He added that while investment in policing and enforcement would continue, making roads safer was a shared responsibility.

Grants of between £5,000 and £50,000 will be available for projects which can demonstrate clear road safety outcomes and benefits for communities.

Possible initiatives could include education aimed at particular groups, campaigns raising awareness of risky behaviour, schemes promoting safer driving attitudes and projects supporting vulnerable road users.

Funding will be available from December 2026 until March 2028, with applicants encouraged to demonstrate strong partnership working and innovative approaches to education and prevention.

Eligible organisations across the West Mercia policing area can apply through the BlueLight portal, with applications closing at noon on Monday, November 9, 2026.