Archive for November 1st, 2012
Thursday, November 1st, 2012
Tamworth’s MP, Christopher Pincher, in the House of Commons this week intervened on the new Sectary of State for Transport, Patrick McLoughlin, about the future of the Future of the West Coast Main Line (WCML) during a ministerial statement on the franchise.
Mr Pincher said, “Commuters in Tamworth will be relieved to hear that at least my Rt Hon. Friend knows where his Department is. Will he make clear the steps he can take to ensure that the next round of franchises are not unduly delayed? In particular, can original requests for proposals made by bidders who choose to tender again be requested again so that the review process is expedited?”
Mr McLoughlin Responded by stating, “I can assure my Hon. Friend that I am very keen to get on with franchising, but he would expect me to wait for the recommendations of the Brown report and the Government to respond to it in a measured and appropriate way. I can give him the assurance he seeks: I am very keen to get on with franchising.”
Later Mr Pincher commented, “This is good news for commuters of Tamworth who rely on the line on a daily basis. It is reassuring to know that the government has acted quickly to ensure no service disruption whilst for the recommendations of the Brown report into the tender process failure. This is a sensible approach to ensure that the best bidder wins and that the trains continue to run.”
Thursday, November 1st, 2012
Christopher Pincher MP with Guide Stig
Christopher Pincher, Member of Parliament for Tamworth, showed his support for the Safe and Sound campaign when he visited Guide Dogs’ stand at the Conservative Party Conference last month.
The stand featured a large Scalextric track, complete with Guide Stig dressed in a white racing suit and helmet, where Mr Pincher was challenged to post a winning time on the ‘Top Gear style’ leader board.
The Guide Dogs’ Safe and Sound campaign aims to raise awareness of the potential dangers that quiet electric and hybrid vehicles present to visually impaired people.
Mr Pincher achieved a respectable time of 3.2 seconds and said, “This was a fun way of raising awareness of such a serious issue, which is often over looked. Silent vehicles cause a real problem form all pedestrians, especially young children and the blind. People much be vigilant when crossing the road and make use of specific pedestrian crossings with audio assistance.”
Guide Dogs launched its Safe and Sound campaign at this year’s party conferences. Last month the charity released a report called Silent But Deadly, which examines the danger that quiet vehicles pose to blind and partially sighted pedestrians, who rely on hearing them approach in order to cross roads safely.
Guide Dogs believes that the risks will only increase as more quiet vehicles are sold, the charity is calling for these types of vehicle to be fitted with artificial engine noises so pedestrians can hear them approaching.
Tamworth’s MP, Christopher Pincher, in the House of Commons this week intervened on the new Sectary of State for Transport, Patrick McLoughlin, about the future of the Future of the West Coast Main Line (WCML) during a ministerial statement on the franchise.
