Rosyton sais, “With the return of long winter nights, our children face greater risks on our roads and it’s even more important to remember the importance of basic road safety and the message ‘Be Safe, Be Seen’.  The number of children killed or injured on our roads is coming down each year, but we can't afford to be complacent.

“My top tips this winter for being safe on the roads are:

• In the bad weather, make sure that drivers can see you by wearing bright or fluorescent clothing.
• Always wear something reflective when out in the dark evenings. 
• Make sure you find a safe place to cross the road and always remember to stop, look and listen. 
• If you’re out at night, choose routes that are well-lit by streetlights and cross the road at well-lit places.

“Children in Year One will once again all be receiving reflectors through the Nationwide Cats’ Eyes for Kids scheme and should wear them all winter – children wearing a reflector may be up to eight times safer than without.”

Over 1 million reflectors and teaching resource packs will be distributed directly to Year One pupils through individual primary schools during October and November.  More information about road safety and details about Cats’ Eyes, including how to obtain extra reflectors, can be found on the Nationwide website www.nationwide.co.uk

A child pedestrian is visible at 30 metres with low beam headlights (1.2 seconds reaction time at 50mph). A child pedestrian wearing a reflector is visible at 150 metres with low beam headlights (7 seconds reaction time at 50mph). Pedestrian reflectors have been used successfully in Scandinavian/Nordic countries for more than 30 years. According to research, children there are eight times safer with a reflector than without.

Royston message comes after a Labour U-turn, and adoption by the Government of a Conservative call for the restoration of the synthetic phonics method of learning the language.

Royston spoke out after the findings of a review carried out by Jim Rose, a former Ofsted director of inspections were adopted by the Government. The findings which called for the greater use of phonics teaching - under which children are taught the sounds of letters and combination of letters before moving onto books.

Royston said "We need to start preparations for implementing his conclusions so they will be ready for the new school year beginning in September 2006. And we need to ensure that teachers have access to appropriate training where needed."

Southampton Conservative Deputy Group Leader Councillor Royston Smith is calling for the Government to treat public and private sectors fairly in the current pensions debate.

Royston said: "Private sector employees should not be unfairly treated in relation to retirement ages. After the Turner report recommended a rise in the state pension qualifying age to 68 by 2050 it is simply unfair to people if the Government seeks to ask private sector employees to work longer whilst they have just done a deal with the trade unions that allows existing public sector workers to retire at 60."