Green light for Road Safety Day: 11th May
Posted by Kate Green, MP for Stretford and Urmston, at 08:49, Fri 3 May 2013:
In August 2011, my good friend Hilda Laffey died following an accident, in which she was hit by a car while crossing Moorside Road close to her home. Tragically, she had been vigorously campaigning for a pedestrian crossing to be installed on that part of Moorside Road in the months before she was killed.
Local people were saddened and horrified by Hilda’s death. Many called for action to prevent future accidents on that stretch of road. The Council undertook a review, but said a crossing was not needed. People grew angry. And gradually, more and more local residents began to contact me with details of road safety hazards they were concerned about in their neighbourhoods too.
It was in response to these widespread concerns that I launched my Safer Trafford Streets campaign at the beginning of this year.
There has been an amazing response. Hundreds of local people have joined me on road safety walkabouts, attended meetings with me to discuss the issues, responded to my consultation on the subject and filled in survey forms, voted to identify their top road safety worry, written to me with information (often including pictures) about local hazards, or taken time to talk to me about their concerns.
I’m grateful to everyone who has participated and shared their views.
The top issues that worry people locally are illegal and inconsiderate parking, speeding, a lack of suitable pedestrian crossings, and the state of the roads. Many people also expressed concerns about a lack of appropriate facilities for cyclists in Trafford.
And many of you wanted extra safety measures outside schools.
Last year, the Labour Group on Trafford Council proposed that Trafford should “GO 20” in 2013, adopting a 20mph speed limit in residential areas. This is supported by local people, and we know it can have a significant impact on the rate of accidents, injuries and deaths. We were very disappointed that the ruling Conservative Group has chosen not to pursue this idea.
The government has provided funding to local authorities for road repairs. I am pleased that following contact by myself and Labour councillors, Trafford Council has carried out repairs to some of the problem roads that we identified.
But there is much more to do. I hope that Trafford Council, together with partner agencies, will now take action on the concerns residents have raised.
Of course, I recognise that we all have a responsibility to use our roads safely. Many people I spoke to highlighted the need for education - not just aimed at young people, but at all of us.
So I am really pleased to have teamed up with Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service and Greater Manchester Police to host a Road Safety open day at Stretford Fire station on Saturday 11 May, 11am - 4pm. I’m very grateful to them – and to other great local and national organisations (Greater Manchester Probation Service, Stretford and Urmston Advertiser, Trafford College, The Institute of Advanced Motorists, Magistrates in the Community, S. Norton & Co. Ltd, Trafford CYPS, Trafford Council, North West Ambulance Service, Colemans CTTS, Brake, and Axion Consulting) for their support for the campaign.
Everybody’s welcome to drop by next Saturday. We’ll have activities for all the family – face painting and poster competitions for children, tips on healthchecks for your bike or car, or find out what really happens if you crash at speed, or the effect of alcohol on your driving.
We all think we’re safe road users. But I’ve been shocked at some of the stories I’ve heard. It’s made me think more carefully about how I behave out on the road. I hope together we can all take action to keep Trafford streets safer, for everyone.
Kate Green
Labour Member of Parliament for Stretford and Urmston
Shadow Spokesperson for Equalities
tel: 0161 749 9120 (constituency); 020 7219 7162 (Westminster)
www.kategreen.org
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