More sunshine to boost Weston tourism?

12.00.00am GMT Thu 1st Feb 2007

You often hear locals say it: what Weston's tourist industry most needs is more sunshine. Weston-super-Mare's Prospective Liberal Democrat MP Mike Bell is backing a plan that could help to make it happen.

Mike is supporting a Private Members Bill being introduced to Parliament that could see a three-year experiment that would introduce single/double summer time and bring the benefit of lighter evenings for more of the year.

The Bill, if passed, would mean that clocks would stay on British Summer Time throughout the winter (GMT +1 hour) and then go forward in the spring by another hour (GMT +2). The clocks would go back as usual in the autumn, but would be an hour further forward than currently.

Mike said: "The extra hour of daylight this would give throughout the winter would help save lives by reducing accidents on the roads. The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents has estimated that 100 deaths a year could be avoided during the winter through this change.

"Crucially for Weston, this change would give us lighter evenings for more of the year, which would give a real boost to business and tourism. The Bill is being actively supported by the Tourism Alliance and no wonder. Studies have estimated that the extra hour would extend the tourist season and boost the trade by as much as £3 billion, providing 40% more daylight hours during the year.

"Other benefits would include a reduction in energy consumption through reduced need for lighting and extended opportunities for leisure and outdoor activity."

The Bill failed to win support for its second reading in Parliament on Friday 26 January and is due to be debated again on 2 February. As a private members bill, it does not have formal government support.