20mph zones- the right thing to do?
25th January 2008
A Southampton Conservative Councillor has objected to a letter sent by Alan Whitehead and John Denham to parents regarding the implementation of legally enforceable 20mph zones around schools.
You can read the letter that was sent to parents in its entirety here:
You can also read Alan's letter to the Daily Echo in response to the Conservative objection below:
This letter was sent to the Southern Daily Echo on 24th January in response to a statement from Southampton Conservative Cllr Peter Baillie, in which the Councillor objected to Alan Whitehead and John Denham writing to parents in Southampton about the need for legally enforceable 20mph zones around schools.
Letters Editor
Southern Daily Echo
Newspaper House
Test Lane
Southampton
SO16 9JX
Dear sir,
I am sorry that local Conservatives have chosen to make child safety an issue of party politics. It was not in any way my intention to do that when I recently wrote to parents on the very important issue of speed limits around schools.
The letter I wrote on this issue was addressed to parents and made no mention of any political party. I consulted extensively with every Head over whether they would be happy for my letter to be sent to parents, and when would be most convenient for the letters to go out. Moreover I have received no complaints from any parent who received the letter, or from the Council, despite Cllr Baillie’s claims to the contrary.
Establishing enforceable 20mph zones around schools is too important an issue not to speak out on. I believe writing to parents about this was the right thing to do- however I have now reproduced the letter it its entirety on my website, so people can read it themselves and make up their own minds.
Yours sincerely,
Dr Alan Whitehead MP
Southampton Test
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