Brian Iddon, MP for Bolton South East has been named ‘Parliamentarian of the Month’ by Brake and Direct Line for his work in campaigning for life safety measures to tackle fatalities caused by crashes with lorries.

Iddon has been campaigning for the introduction of mandatory retro-reflective markings on lorries since early 2006.

Last month , he tabled an Early Day Motion on the issue.

He said in September the Government went back on a promise to introduce the requirement in 2010.

He has now stepped up his campaign. 

An EU directive will come into force in 2011, making it mandatory for HGVs to have retro-reflective markings.

In September, the DfT announced that it would further delay introduction until the EU deadline of 2011, going back on their most recent commitment to bring in the mandatory requirement from July 2010.

At an earlier stage, the Government expected it to be implemented by 2009. 

Iddon has already tabled two Early Day Motions in 2009, which revealed cross-party support for his campaign.

DfT said implementation has been delayed because of the financial burden it would place on industry, but did not reveal how it arrived at this conclusion.

The Freight Transport Association stated that this measure would have a “minimal impact” on industry.

“I am delighted to receive this award from Brake," said Iddon.

"On the very day that I had raised this as an issue in the Road Safety Bill’s Standing Committee I saw a sports car under a lorry on the slip road leading to Stafford service station on the M6 when I was travelling home late at night. It convinced me that I had to carry on with this campaign.”

Brake believes that the Government’s delay in implementing the law is completely unjustifiable and shows a shocking lack of urgency in implementing a straightforward measure that would save lives.

Cathy Keeler, deputy chief executive at Brake, says: “Brake is delighted to name Brian Iddon as Parliamentarian of the Month to recognise his persistence and hard work in campaigning for vital measures to tackle key causes of casualties on our roads.”