Clock change Bill ‘likely to proceed’: Telegraph

A report in the Telegraph suggests that a Private Members’ Bill designed to create lighter evenings is likely to proceed unless it is ‘talked out’ by opponents.

The Telegraph suggests that Britain has moved a step closer to putting clocks ahead by an hour, as a result of Government backing for Rebecca Harris’ Private Members’ Bill. Ministers have agreed to support the Bill, which comes before the Commons later this month and will lead to a detailed study being carried out by the Government on the impact of the change.

If the new arrangements are adopted, the clocks would not be put back in October but would be put forward by one hour as normal the following March. Then in October of the following year, the clocks would be put back by one hour. As a result dawn and dusk would take place one hour later than at present, leading to lighter evenings and darker mornings.

The original version of the Bill, which was opposed by the Government, would have triggered a trial of what is known as Daylight-saving time.

Any changes would have to be supported by both Houses of Parliament and the devolved Governments in Cardiff, Belfast and Edinburgh. Until now putting the clocks forward has been opposed in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

The DfT strongly supports the move after its road safety strategy revealed that the change could cut road deaths by 80 per year. A study by TRL also estimates that 212 fewer people would be seriously injured every year.

Rebecca Harris said: “There are so many arguments in favour. Successive transport ministers have said that this would have significant road safety benefits.”

Rob Gifford, executive director for PACTS, said: “Lighter evenings in winter will lead to fewer road deaths and injuries. This is because more people are killed and injured in the evening in winter than in the morning and because the human eye finds it harder to detect movement as it grows darker.”

Click here to read the full Telegraph report.