A11 campaining wins MP an award
RIGOROUS campaigning to secure funding for the dualling of the A11 has won Suffolk MP Richard Spring an award.
RIGOROUS campaigning to secure funding for the dualling of the A11 has won Suffolk MP Richard Spring an award.
The MP for Suffolk West was named Parliamentarian of the Year - Community Campaigner by road safety charity Brake and Direct Line Insurance for his determination to improve safety on the most dangerous road in his region.
The sponsors recognised the effort Mr Spring made to rally support from local councillors, constituents and parliamentary colleagues from Norfolk to devise ways of getting the dualling issue prioritised.
He raised awareness of the issue and found numerous ways to put pressure on local and Government decision makers including delivering a petition containing 15,000 local signatures to then transport secretary Geoff Hoon before formally meeting him to discuss the issue further.
This helped to secure funding for the dualling of the A11 and agree a timetable, with work scheduled to begin in 2010, with improvements in place by 2012-2013.
He received the award at Brake's annual reception at the Houses of Parliament last week where Cathy Keeler, deputy chief executive of Brake, said they applauded Mr Spring's commitment to road safety and his determination to see the campaign through to the end.
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“We are delighted to see that safety improvements are finally due to begin on the A11,” she said.
Mr Spring said he was “surprised” and “deeply touched” by the award. He added: “Road safety is not a glamorous issue and neither is it a party political issue. These sorts of campaigns can take years, and this one has not finished yet as work is yet to be started. A great deal more dogged determination may be required, from a great many more people, before lives stop being lost.”
