Olivia Bailey, MP for Reading West and Mid Berkshire, has declared the A34 slip roads at East Ilsley and Beedon “some of most dangerous in England” and presented a bill aimed at tackling them yesterday.
Ms Bailey gave a speech in the House of Commons yesterday to introduce a ‘Ten Minute Rule’ bill on the issue and urging the Government to take action on Tuesday, May 13.
Introducing the A34 Slip Road Safety (East Ilsley and Beedon) Bill to Parliament, Ms Bailey highlighted several constituent case studies and called on the Government to provide for a comprehensive review of the safety of the dangerous slip roads and ensure that the necessary improvements are made as soon as possible.
Roads Minister Lilian Greenwood was among those in the Chamber to listen to the speech.
Ms Bailey has said she will continue to engage with the Department for Transport to progress the measures she called for–including the delivery of the A34 Improvements North & South of Oxford Study, as recommended by National Highways.
She has said she was delighted to have cross-party support for her Bill, which was co-sponsored by Newbury MP Lee Dillon and Didcot and Wantage MP Olly Glover.
She paid tribute to local residents, campaign groups and previous MPs for the area who have previously pushed for safety improvements – and said that she hoped to build on their excellent work.
Ms Bailey said: “I was proud to speak in the House of Commons chamber to present my Bill on these dangerous A34 slip roads and bring the government’s attention to the need for action.
“I am grateful to all those who shared their stories with me, and I will now work closely with the Department for Transport and National Highways, continuing my campaign for a full safety review and urgent improvements to make these roads safe for my constituents.”
