Press Release

1 March 2007

Paice: We Cannot Go On With This Carnage
We must have action now on A1307, says MP 

South East Cambridgeshire MP Jim Paice has today written to the Chief Executive of Cambridgeshire County Council, Ian Stewart, reiterating his call for safety measures on the A1307 following the death of a teenage pedestrian between Abington and Haverhill.

The full text of the letter is below:

Dear Ian

You will be aware of the latest death on the A1307 between Abington and Haverhill, this time a pedestrian. There is huge distress and anger that despite a great deal of discussion little has been done. I know there is an interactive speed sign on the Linton side of the junction but it has been widely recognised that the junction is lethal for some time. I also know that meetings have been held about moving the bus stop but that nothing has happened. Whilst there may be a debate about whose fault it is that the bus stop has not been moved and I am aware of different stories the fact remains that a death has occurred which could have been avoided if the move had taken place.

When we met a few weeks ago we talked about the road and speeding traffic. You kindly agreed to and have since written to the Chief Constable about more regular speed checks. However we cannot go on with this carnage, this time a 15 year old girl with her life in front of her has died. We must have action now and it must be for the Highways authority to take the lead. I realise that strictly speaking because the various deaths have not occurred at the same spot they may not fit neatly into official statistics for justifying improvements but such details are lost on the communities who see little or no action and who are frequently in mourning. That cannot be an excuse for inaction and I know that you will understand that.

Will you please therefore instruct your staff to address the issue further. We discussed averaging speed cameras but there are other options including lowering the limit along the whole road and the separate issue of moving the bus stop. Whichever budget is used we must have action. If there are disputes between different councils or authorities then I am willing to act to resolve those disputes as I have in the past but please will the County take the lead.

We are meeting in four weeks when I hope you will be able to give me some positive good news about this lethal stretch of road.

Yours sincerely

James Paice MP