West Lancashire road safety expert Neil Cunliffe earns Prince Michael award

Jan 21 2010 by Michael Byrne, Ormskirk Advertiser

A WEST Lancashire road safety expert has been reward for his work in saving lives.

Neil Cunliffe, Lancashire County Council’s road safety manager has been presented with a Prince Michael International Road Safety award.

The award was handed over by Prince Michael of Kent in recognition of Mr Cunliffe’s use of innovative ideas to improve road safety.

This latest award marks a double celebration for Neil, who was also presented with an OBE earlier this month.

As road safety manager, Neil, 56, of Hesketh Bank, is responsible for the road safety group, which provides education and training, and runs safety campaigns to encourage people to take care on the county's roads.

The 30-strong team has scooped a number of plaudits including seven other Prince Michael Awards.

Neil said: “I’m delighted. It was a great honour to be recognised nationally by such a prestigious organisation.

“I would like to dedicate the award to the whole road safety group, which is one of the best in the country.

“We could write a book on the excuses that people come out with for why they are speeding.

“That doesn’t matter if they are still breaking the law.

“I was really pleased to receive the OBE, and I am looking forward to going down to London to receive it.”

Councillor Keith Young, cabinet member for highways and transport, said: “I’d like to congratulate Neil on this award and his superb work with the road safety group.

“His team does such an important job.

“Neil has sat on a number of working groups both locally, nationally and internationally and currently chairs the National Strategic development Board for referral courses.”