County runs safety scheme

S Dale urges Hampshire County Council to "get real" and spend money on road safety education, namely the Edge 44 initiative to improve motorcycling safety across the county.

I'm pleased to inform your correspondent that the county council is closely involved in Edge 44, and has been since its inception.

Indeed, the county council runs this scheme, paying for all publicity, including advertising, leaflets, displays and exhibitions; funding its administration with staff; collecting the fees from participants; and paying the off-duty police officers who conduct the assessments.

Since the scheme was set up a year ago, the county council has contributed at least £100,000 towards running costs, and remains fully committed to continued involvement in promoting motorcycling safety throughout Hampshire.

Participants can start recouping the £65 cost of the assessment straight away, with discounts from some of the county's top dealers on clothing, parts and accessories - and they can even make savings with many insurance companies.

S Dale also criticises the safety engineering measures on the A339. The proposed 40mph speed limit extensions at either end of the A339 between Basingstoke and Alton, and the proposed 50mph limit on the central section, are intended to complement a range of signing, lining and other road marking improvements.

These measures will be targeted at bends, junctions and other potential hazards, with the specific aim of reducing speed, which is often a factor in causing accidents.

The police have been involved in the development of the measures, and the new speed limits will assist enforcement of more appropriate speeds for this stretch of road.

Readers wanting to know more about Edge 44, or other road safety matters, should contact the county council's road safety team on 01962 846888, e-mail road.safety@hants.gov.uk or log on to www.hants.gov.uk/roadsafety

-Keith B Estlin, Executive Member for Environment, Hampshire County Council.