Gordon joins a campaign to boost daylight saving

Blackpool South MP Gordon Marsden is backing a renewed campaign to extend daylight saving time, hailing the tourism, economic and environmental benefits that the move could bring.

Speaking in Parliament after adding his name to the new campaign, Mr Marsden said:

“Extending daylight saving time could give a real boost to Blackpool’s economy and other seaside towns. That’s why national hoteliers, tourism and other groupings want to see double summertime and an extra hour of daylight in the winter. Research conducted by the Policy Studies Institute showed that an extra hour in the evening would extend the British tourist season by 35%, creating between 60,000 and 80,000 jobs. In Blackpool that would strengthen and lengthen our existing appeal year-round to visitors, and buttress the trend towards holiday breaks at our British seaside.

Mr Marsden commented “In addition to the benefits to the tourism industry, this move could also be a positive move in regards to road safety. Research shows that road accidents increase 10% in the four weeks following the clocks changing in October and that 57% of all road accidents involving children happen between 3pm and 7pm in the evening.”

“The group of MPs I chair from seaside and coastal towns has already put this as a trial option as part of a package of ideas to boost domestic tourism. I hope the campaign will gather momentum as the summer develops.”

6/07/09