Supporting speed reduction in Kings Copse Avenue

As Labour's candidate in the Hedge End South by election, I support the campaign by local people to reduce the speed limit on Kings Copse Avenue to 30mph.

We borrowed a privately owned speed gun to understand the size of the speeding problem on Kings Copse Avenue.

The majority of motorists kept to the current 40mph limit, but on average one car a minute was going faster than 40mph. The highest speed recorded was an incredible 70mph.

We were close to one of the bus stops where pedestrians cross regularly.

The risk of a person dying after being hit by a car at 42mph is 50%. The risk of fatality is halved at 32mph.

The local petition to reduce the speed limit to 30mph is still open at https://www.change.org/p/kings-copse-avenue-to-30mph

You know what to do to help make Hedge End's roads safer for all road users.

 

 

In Hedge End South, kicking off Labour's campaign to get Labour supporters to turn out and vote on 22 May. After the photo shoot we went talking to voters in Ratcliffe Road. People feel let down by the Lib Dems over the state of our roads and pavements, maintenance of children's play areas, uncaring social housing landlords, and rat-run traffic in Ratcliffe Road. Labour is listening.

 

 Following the death of veteran Lib Dem Councillor Jane Welsh, we find ourselves having a by election for her Eastleigh Borough Council seat of Hedge End South.

Jane will undoubtedly be much missed in Hedge End, but Lib Dems have been in control at Eastleigh for 30 years, and it is surely time for a change.

I am honoured to be selected by the Labour Party to stand in the by election. I am sharing this statement to kick off my campaign on this blog:

Labour’s candidate for Hedge End South in the by election on 22 May is Keith Day.

Keith has lived in Hedge End for over 40 years and recently retired after a career in both private and public organisations. He has been active in local politics all that time and has served as a borough and town councillor. He contested the Hedge End South ward most recently in May 2024.

Keith moved to Hedge End from Southampton in 1983, the year Jane Welsh was first elected. “Jane has been a constant all the time I have been involved with Hedge End politics. I recognise and salute her service to Hedge End. Her passing leaves a huge void in our public life.”

“However, this year marks 30 years of the Liberal Democrats running Eastleigh Borough Council. I wonder if voters think Hedge End is a better place to live after three decades of the same party in charge?”

“We are entering a period of great change in our local government and the Lib Dems seem to have run out of ideas of their own. It’s time for a fresh start.”

Keith backs Labour’s plans for an elected mayor for Hampshire and a single unitary authority to replace Eastleigh Borough Council and Hampshire County Council. The proposed changes will bring stronger strategic leadership, improve the financial sustainability of local councils and bring decision-making closer to local people.

Keith’s priorities are:

• ·     Fix our roads and work with local residents to make them safer for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians.

• ·     Revitalise Hedge End centre and consult residents on what is to be done with the old Budgens site.

• ·     Manage and maintain our remaining green spaces for people, wildlife and the environment.

• Improve bus and train services in an integrated public transport system which meets people’s needs.