Carla the Chorister

Meet Carla Leowe, a Road Safety Officer working to raise awareness, educate and train us all on being safer road users.

1Can you explain your role in one sentence? I am a Road Safety Officer for Westminster City Council. My role is to promote road safety for all road users in the borough of Westminster.

2How long have you been doing this job? I have been working for Westminster City Council for 7 years but I have been involved in road safety and active travel for the last 12.

3Did you find yourself in this role by accident or by design? My current role was by design, but I fell into road safety and active travel. I started my career in education, working in various youth roles but after being made redundant I began a role as an Assistant School Travel Planner for Newham Council. This kicked off my interest in road safety and active travel.

4What’s the best part about your job? The role is so varied. I get to meet lots of different people from all walks of life and work on lots of interesting projects. It keeps me on my toes!

5What’s the strangest thing that has ever happened to you in your job? We once had an email from BBC’s Top Gear requesting a Road Safety Officer to feature in an episode. Our head of department at the time featured on their show.

6What do you enjoy doing when you are not at work? I love to sing. I am currently part of a choir and vocal group called The Gold Vocal Collective. I was also on the first series of the BBC’s Naked Choir featuring Gareth Malone.

7What do you like about this area? For me it’s the landscape. I love the history behind Marble Arch. It is such an iconic landmark and a great meeting point. When I was younger and meeting up with friends in central London, we would always meet by the Arch.

8Where’s your favourite place to go for lunch in the local area? I mostly bring in my own packed lunch, but I love sitting on the benches by the Arch and watching the world go by. There is always a great atmosphere when the pop-up theatre is in town.

9Who is YOUR hero and what is it about them that inspires you? My mum. She raised 2 children on her own whilst holding down four jobs. She was a very busy lady but always made sure that she had time for her family.

10If you could visit anywhere in the world, where would it be? Japan. I find the culture fascinating; there is so much diversity. The country is an amazing juxtaposition of old and new.