Stretford and Urmston MP Kate Green has reacted furiously after seeing Trafford’s Conservative council water down proposals to improve road safety in her constituency.
The Safer Trafford Streets campaign was launched earlier this year by Ms Green and has made a concerted effort to listen to the widespread concerns of local residents.
Her report was debated by councillors on Wednesday July 10; however Ms Green believes that the council have failed to make decisions in the interest of residents.
Following the council’s response to her dossier Ms Green said: “I’m disgusted Conservative councillors have watered down proposals to improve road safety in Trafford.
“I presented a list of residents’ concerns to the council, together with recommendations for action. Residents’ top concerns included introducing a 20mph speed limit outside all schools, and repairing roads in poor condition.
“The Tory council are employing delaying tactics – they clearly don’t take residents’ concerns seriously.”
The council’s amendments to Ms Green’s road safety proposal greatly reduce the number of commitments in comparison with those Ms Green asked the council to make.
Instead of the requested speed limits around schools, the council edited the dossier so that they only committed to draw up a list of residential areas, which may include schools, that could benefit from a 20 mile per hour speed limit.
In addition the council removed a proposed two month time restraint instead opting to say that they would present a timetable for road repairs ‘within a reasonable timescale’.
Ms Green added: “Hundreds of local people have been in contact with me about road safety, written to me about local hazards and sent me pictures, filled in surveys, attended my road safety event at Stretford fire station in May, and voted for their top road safety concerns.
“They’ve been brushed aside by the council. Rather than playing politics, councillors should be setting out plans to improve road safety in Trafford – before we suffer more accidents, injuries, or even deaths.”
Picture courtesy of Editor5807, with thanks.
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