Letter: Councillors Opposing 20mph Zones

Below is a letter to the editor sent by Ken Hulme, who sits as an independent on Saddleworth Parish Council. I’ve reproduced the letter in full. If you would like to respond to the points made in the letter, you can either leave a comment below this post, or send an e-mail by clicking on the Contact option at the top of this page. If you would like an e-mail published on this website then please mark it as a letter to the editor, and I’ll be happy to do so.

“I was very disappointed to see from Monday’s Chronicle (5/7/10) that Cllr John McCann seems to have joined the ranks of Saddleworth councillors hostile to 20mph zones outside our schools. Until now it has only been backbenchers like the gentlemen who represent our area on Oldham Council who have been hostile to 20mph zones.

“Eccentric backbenchers of all parties are an important part of our political way of life. They can be entertaining, offbeat, occasionally bonkers and on some occasions show valuable flashes of inspiration. Unfortunately, when it comes to school safety zones they can be very silly indeed and sadly this silliness has spread via Cllr McCann right into the Oldham Cabinet.

“The reason why so many of us in Delph have campaigned so long for a school safety zone with a 20mph zone outside our local primary school is because we know that at 40mph a child hit by a car has only a 15% chance to survive, at 30mph it becomes a 55% chance of survival but at 20mph a child has a 95% chance of survival. These are the basic facts that should be at the centre of any discussion about school safety zones.

“All over the country politicians of all parties support 20mph zones outside schools. There is a national consensus on this and Saddleworth must be one of the few places in the land where local councillors are hostile to them. When Cllr Hibbert was the Cabinet member responsible, common sense prevailed, he and Oldham Council officers backed local residents in our call for a 20mph zone and greater safety measures for Delph Bridge. After all the heated arguments we had over planning and other issues I never thought I would say that I miss Cllr Hibbert – but on road safety issues – I do.

“Since the change in management at Oldham Civic Centre we have seen delays and procrastination with this project. The original plans for the school safety zone have been watered down following behind the scenes pressure from local councillors and the proposed 20mph zone downgraded to an ‘advisory’ one. To avoid the simple solution of a crossing at Delph School we have expensive and unnecessary works to road and footpaths which have created in many parents view a much less safe environment for taking kids to school.

“To cap it all we have seen the work drag on for nine months – and it’s still not finished! Does Cllr McCann apologise to parents for these delays? Does he agree to investigate how this expensive shambles took place? Of course not. Instead he seems to be trying to suggest local residents actually wanted this shambolic scheme, while of course engaging in a bit of low level personal abuse.

“Cllr McCann clearly belongs on the backbenches – not in a responsible Cabinet position.”

Cllr Ken Hulme

Author: Jude Gidney - Editor

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