The next meeting of the APPG for Trailer and Towing Safety takes place in Westminster on Monday 3 February 2020. The inaugural meeting took place in April 2019 ahead of the publication of the government’s Trailer Safety Report in July 2019, with autumn meetings postponed due to changeovers in Parliament and General Election.
Karin Smyth MP, Acting Chair of the APPG for Trailer and Towing Safety, said:
“This month’s meeting is another important step in improving the safety of trailers and towed vehicles in England and Wales. After I spoke in Parliament about the issue, the government agreed to compile a report into trailer safety which was released last summer and we were due to discuss shortly after. This was put on hold due to the General Election and the changes that comes with this. We are glad to be once again moving forward with this and look forward to welcoming the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Department for Transport Baroness Vere of Norbiton to the meeting, where we will consider the findings of the recent government report and discuss objectives for the year ahead.
“The APPG has a key role to play bringing together MPs from all parties, representatives from the Department for Transport, and Highways England’s National Towing Working Group and industry experts including the APPG secretariat, the National Caravan Council to identify the issues and propose solutions and keep the spotlight on this very important issue.
“Members attending the meeting today will discuss how to take forward the work programme to enhance trailer safety across the UK. The group is determined to find solutions following the Government’s trailer safety report.
“Also in attendance at this meeting will be Donna and Scott Hussey, whose son Freddie was killed when he was hit by a two-tonne trailer in Bristol in 2014. Donna and Scott have been campaigning tirelessly to see improvements in trailer safety and, as their MP in Bristol South, I have been able to support them in this – raising the issue in Parliament and establishing the APPG for Trailer and Towing Safety.
Donna and Scott Hussey, who are attending the APPG with their eldest son Archie, said:
“We’re pleased to be attending the APPG and are delighted that the Minister is going to attend. It’s good to see her get on board with it like the previous two ministers did. We’re looking forward to hearing more from government report into trailer safety and are very glad it’s being taken seriously and that the data is now being gathered.
“It’s been six years this week since we lost Freddie and it can feel like a bit of a slog sometimes, but then we’ll get a message of support for the TowSafe4Freddie campaign or be back in Parliament for the APPG and we know it’s worth it. We’re seeing so many people coming on board to help improve trailer safety now, not just Karin. The industry is listening and it wants to change. That’s what keeps us going.”
More information: trailerappg@thencc.org.uk