Angus Robertson MP reminds children to be safe and be seen on winter roads
Posted on Wednesday, November 1 2006
As the clocks go back and the evenings become longer, Angus Robertson MP is reminding Moray residents, especially children and parents, of the importance of being safe and being seen on the winter roads.Commenting he said:"With the return of long winter nights, our children face greater risks on our roads and it's even more important to remember the importance of basic road safety and the message 'Be Safe, Be Seen'. The number of children killed or injured on our roads is coming down each year, but we can't afford to be complacent."My top tips this winter for being safe on the roads are: · In the bad weather, make sure that drivers can see you by wearing bright or fluorescent clothing.· Always wear something reflective when out in the dark evenings. · Make sure you find a safe place to cross the road and always remember to stop, look and listen. · If you're out at night, choose routes that are well-lit by streetlights and cross the road at well-lit places. "Children in Primary One will once again all be receiving reflectors through Nationwide Building Society's Cats' Eyes for Kids scheme and should wear them all winter – children wearing a reflector may be up to eight times safer than without."Charles Reed, Customer Service & Communications Director at Nationwide, said:"With the return of long winter nights, our children face greater risks on our roads. For the sixth year, we're delighted to support the government's successful campaign to reduce the number of child casualties. We are also encouraging children who have received reflectors in the past five years to use them again this winter. "As a building society, Nationwide has a long tradition of active involvement in communities throughout the UK and there can be no better way of investing in these communities than by protecting the lives of children." - ends -Notes to Editors: 1. Over 1 million reflectors and teaching resource packs will be distributed directly to new intake pupils through individual primary schools during October and November. More information about road safety and details about Cats' Eyes, including how to obtain extra reflectors, can be found on the Nationwide website www.nationwide.co.uk 2. A child pedestrian is visible at 30 metres with low beam headlights, whereas a child pedestrian wearing a reflector is visible at 150 metres with low beam headlights. Pedestrian reflectors have been used successfully in Scandinavian/Nordic countries for more than 30 years. According to research, children there are eight times safer (source: Central Organisation for Traffic Safety in Finland) with a reflector than without. 3. Road Casualties Great Britain 2005 - figures are published annually and information can be found at http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft_transstats/documents/page/dft_transstats_612587.hcsp 4. The latest Government advice about road safety can be found at www.thinkroadsafety.gov.uk Ends.
NIMROD CRASH INQUIRY UPDATE
Posted on Monday, October 30 2006
“MOD writes to SNP Defence Spokesman” The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has given an assurance that Nimrod safety concerns will be fully investigated in the wake of the recent plane crash in Afghanistan.Fourteen servicemen died when the aircraft came down outside Kandahar in September after what is believed to have been a technical fault. In a letter to SNP Defence spokesman Angus Robertson MP, who represents the Nimrod home base at RAF Kinloss, Defence Secretary Des Browne wrote:“I can assure you that the Board of Inquiry is conducting a thorough and comprehensive investigation which will include consideration of the concerns raised about the age and management of the Nimrod fleet”.The pledge comes after Mr Robertson sought assurances that the concerns of Mrs Shona Beattie, the widow of Flight Stephen Beattie and Flt Lt Jimmy Jones a former RAF Nimrod trial officer will be taken into account in the inquiry into the tragic loss of the MR2 aircraft over Afghanistan.Mrs Beattie said that defence cutbacks put lives at risk and Flt Lt Jones questioned the suitability of the aircraft for use in Afghanistan. He said the Nimrod's life had been extended because of the delayed Nimrod mark four.Mr Robertson said he welcomed the clarification by Defence Secretary Des Browne:“I welcome the detailed update by the Ministry of Defence which gives assurances about the inquiry into the Nimrod tragedy. In his letter Des Browne is unequivocal about the scope of the investigation which I think will be welcomed by many in the service community.“The Board of Inquiry is independent of Ministers, so I completely understand the limitations in securing early conclusions. However, when I asked Mr Browne about this during Defence Questions he said he was keen to see findings completed as soon as possible. “Mr Browne has offered to meet me to discuss these matters, which I will certainly do as more information emerges. “Hopefully before then the families of the fallen servicemen will see their remains returned to them and they can complete the grieving process. My thoughts go out to them. Extract of letter to Angus Robertson MP by Defence Secretary Des Browne MP: “The Board of Inquiry was called following the Nimrod crash to investigate the circumstances surrounding the accident. The Board is analysing all available evidence, but I am sure you will appreciate that such inquiries are complex and require diligent attention to detail. I cannot provide you with an estimate of the date on which the Board will conclude its investigation; the findings of the Board will be released as soon as possible after conclusion of the inquiry.“In your letter of 17 October you asked me to provide assurance that the concerns of Mrs Beattie, the widow of Flt Sgt Stephen Beattie and of Flt Lt Jimmy Jones a former RAF Nimrod trial officer are taken into account in the inquiry into the tragic loss of the Nimrod MR2 aircraft over Afghanistan. Whilst I am sure you will understand that I cannot pre-judge the outcome of the BOI into the Nimrod crash, I can assure you that the Board is conducting a thorough and comprehensive investigation which will include consideration of the concerns raised about the age and management of the Nimrod fleet.“I or Adam Ingram would of course be happy to meet with you to discuss the matters you have raised.ENDS
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