Share this story!
Leigh On Sea News: Leigh Speeding Concerns – THE MP for Southend West has called for a Commons debate about the problem of speeding in Leigh, which is blighting the lives of residents.
Leigh Speeding Concerns - THE MP for Southend West has called for a Commons debate about the problem of speeding in Leigh, which is blighting the lives of residents.
THE MP for Southend West has called for a Commons debate about the problem of speeding in Leigh, which is blighting the lives of residents.
Anna Firth participated in a Speedwatch event with Essex Police to witness the severity of the issue. Now, Ms Firth has asked Commons leader Penny Mordaunt for a debate on behalf of residents, some of whom are considering moving as a cause of the dangerous motoring.
One of the Leigh residents who has been affected by the speeding is Linda Catling, 77, who is partially sighted.
Mrs Catling is well-known in the town for her colourful and creative knitted post box toppers, one of which has recently featured a speed camera to raise awareness of the issue.
Mrs Catling said: “I started campaigning in 2021 to improve speeding signage at both ends of the Marine Parade, but this is never happened.
“In the seven years we’ve lived here, we’ve seen an increase in the number of drivers exceeding 30 mph.”
Speeds have reportedly reached 70mph down the 30mph Marine Parade.
Mrs Catling added: “From a personal point of view, being partially sighted, this concerns me, plus the number of children on bikes and scooters using the pavement are at a great risk.
“I will be putting the speed camera topper I made back on the postbox to try and help.”
Ms Firth said: “I thank Linda for the wonderful knitting creations.
“No one should be forced to move because of antisocial driving and highlights even more that we must take action to crack down on this blight.”
She added: “speeding and antisocial driving is unacceptable.
“Having been out with speed watch in the CCTV then, I’ve seen first-hand the scale of the issue in Southend.
“I was appalled to learn than 169 people from Southend have been killed or seriously injured since 2020 and we must take action to stop these figures from rising, and give the residents of Southend and Leigh the safer streets they want.”
Ms Mordaunt thanked Ms Firth for raising the issue and made a point of mentioning the Kings Speech where one of the bills that was announced which will aim to lead to improved road safety.
Picture: Linda Catling with her cautionary post-box topper. Pic Linda Catling
Read more.
Visit: https://leigh-on-sea.news
Contact us. Email: [email protected]
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leighonsea.news
Twitter: @leighonsea_news
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leighonsea.news