MPs urge tougher coach
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safety.
FURTHER demands for higher standards of coach safety have been made by MPs following last week's crash in which six people lost their lives and 43 others were injured on the M6 near Sandbach, Cheshire. Two local MPs have said they will press the Minister for Transport for a comprehensive review of coach safety regulations.
Mr Paul Rose, Labour MP for Blackley, Manchester, said more than 50 people had been killed in coach crashes this year. " There should be an immediate inquiry into the conditions of coach transport with particular reference to maximum speeds, use of the overtaking lane, the advisability of passengers wearing seat belts and the hours that drivers work."
Mr Rose said there was an immediate case for banning coaohes from the outside lane of motorways and limiting their maximum speed to 60mph, though "none of this refers specifically to the crash at Sandbach."
The crash involved a Plaxtonbodied Ford coach which cost £14,500 when it was put on the road in April. It belonged to Shearings Holidays of Altrincham, Cheshire, and was being driven by a part-time driver.
The tragedy happened in a heavy rainstorm after some cars had collided in the fast lane of the motorway. The vehicle, in an attempt to avoid them, hit the motorway embankment and turned on its side.
After the accident Mrs Anne Taylor, Labour MP for Bolton West, said that some form of lap seat belt, like those fitted to aircraft, might have prevented some of the deaths.
A spokesman for the DoE told CM this week that the Transport Minister had already initiated a review of coach safety arrangements—including the possible use of seat belts. No action was likely until this study had been completed.