Steve Callaghan - Radio Cumbria Challenge

[SafeSpeed]

Following Steve Callaghan's semi-anonymous posts here I have decided to issue him with a challenge to a public debate.

Steve, I'm sorry if you're reading it here for the first time, but that's the way things have worked out in a busy day.

I rang Radio Cumbria and spoke to Steve Urquart. He liked the idea and we exchanged emails (below).

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Challenge debate
Date: Fri, 04 Mar 2005 16:34:44 +0000
From: Paul Smith <psmith@safespeed.org.uk>
Organization: Safe Speed
To: steve.urquhart@bbc.co.uk

Hi Steve,

Thanks for talking with me.

I'm wide open to any variation, but the challenge is this:

Steve Callaghan, manager of the Cumbria Safety Camera partnership is
challenged to debate with me the question: "Do speed cameras save lives?" in
any public forum.

Steve is welcome to offer a substitute or a champion. I would be proud to
disprove the claim personally.

BBC Radio Cumbria is my first choice for a debating platform, and I will be
pleased to participate whatever response Steve Callaghan provides.

I understand that you will be forwarding the challenge to Mr Callaghan. I
confirm that I can be available in your area at lunch time on Thursday 10th
March. I am prepared to participate on any other practical alternative date.

I do hope this 'goes off', and I think I can promise a lively, interesting and
informative discussion.
==========================================

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: RE: Challenge debate
Date: Fri, 4 Mar 2005 17:28:04 -0000
From: "Steve Urquhart" <steve.urquhart@bbc.co.uk>
To: "Paul Smith" <psmith@safespeed.org.uk>

Hi Paul

Many thanks for your email. I wasn't able to reach the appropriate person at Cumbria Partnership this afternoon, will try again on Monday and get back to you a.s.a.p.

I've pencilled in Thursday (10th March) at 12 noon.

The format I will most likely propose is a general "phone in" for listeners to air their views and ask questions, with the understanding that you will also be taking part.

Also - I thought it might be convenient, while you have access to your email, to send directions to our studios in Carlisle, which you'll find below.

regards

Steve Urquhart
BBC Radio Cumbria
===================================

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: Challenge debate
Date: Fri, 04 Mar 2005 19:00:52 +0000
From: Paul Smith <psmith@safespeed.org.uk>
Organization: Safe Speed
To: Steve Urquhart <steve.urquhart@bbc.co.uk>

Hi Steve,

Thanks, that's all absolutely fine.

It might be a good idea to limit the amount of airtime given to phone-in
callers - they tend to reduce the amount of information transferred by
trivializing the debate. My choice would be to have none - or maybe a
follow-up phone in (I don't mind staying on).

But it's your show - I'll accept any format you deem appropriate.
===========================================

I happen to be passing through Cumbria on Thursday so the arrangement is ideal. If a different time is more suitable, we'll arrange an alternative.

[Rigpig]

Anything come of this? (He asked, expecting the answer to be no )

[JT]

So shall I tune in at 12pm tomorrow then???

[Gatsobait]

Did this happen? I couldn't get the listen online feature working.

[JT]

Been listening on and off since about 10am and not heard any mention...

[SafeSpeed]

I spoke to the Radio Cumbria chap on Wednesday. He's put the proposal to the partnership and told me that they were 'seeking permission to participate'. He indicated that permission might take some time to arrive.

It's still very much on the agenda, but there's no date at present.

I'll give him another ring tomorrow.

[JT]

I spoke to the Radio Cumbria chap on Wednesday. He's put the proposal to the partnership and told me that they were 'seeking permission to participate'. He indicated that permission might take some time to arrive.

Priceless!

So they have a full time PR man "in house", yet they need to seek permission in order to do a local radio broadcast?

[kendalian]

Yes, the mind boggles

I wonder whose "permission" they need to participate?

[Roger]

Yes, the mind boggles

I wonder whose "permission" they need to participate?

Indeed

Quis custodes ipso custodiet?

[SafeSpeed]

A further email exchange...

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: Challenge debate
Date: Fri, 11 Mar 2005 12:15:53 +0000
From: Paul Smith <psmith@safespeed.org.uk>
Organization: Safe Speed
To: Steve Urquhart <steve.urquhart@bbc.co.uk>

Hi Steve,

I'm now back in the North Scotland office. What's happening with the challenge
debate? What are the partnership saying?

Best Regards,
Paul Smith
====================================

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: RE: Challenge debate
Date: Fri, 11 Mar 2005 19:48:47 -0000
From: "Steve Urquhart" <steve.urquhart@bbc.co.uk>
To: "Paul Smith" <psmith@safespeed.org.uk>

Hi Paul

Nothing to report at the moment. I will contact you when there is.

thanks
S.
===================================

[Serge]

Any progress on this yet Paul? It's been almost two weeks now.

[SafeSpeed]

Any progress on this yet Paul? It's been almost two weeks now.

No word. I've just emailed Radio Cumbria.

[SafeSpeed]

Still no word. I've just rung Radio Cumbria and left a message for Steve Urqhart to ring me back (he was on the phone).

[matt1133]

any news on this one or is he still cowering?

i expected nothing less to be honest

[SafeSpeed]

any news on this one or is he still cowering?

i expected nothing less to be honest

I rang last week. the Radio Cumbria chap was out of the office until Friday, but I was too busy and it fell off my to-do list. I'll get him tomorrow.

[SafeSpeed]

This just in...

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: RE: Challenge debate
Date: Wed, 20 Apr 2005 16:05:24 +0100
From: "Steve Urquhart" <steve.urquhart@bbc.co.uk>
To: "Paul Smith" <psmith@safespeed.org.uk>
CC: "Nell Gordon" <nell.gordon@bbc.co.uk>

Hello Paul

Sincere apologies for not getting back to you recently. I won't bore you with the details, but I've been away quite a bit, and I'm no longer producing the lunchtime programme. Your best contact here is now NELL GORDON (nell.gordon@bbc.co.uk), she's taken over lunchtime show production. She's on 01228 592444.

Nell - ask me about this, but you'll see our previous exchange of emails below. Right at the bottom is Paul's original proposal.

thanks
Steve
=======================================

[I didn't copy all the old ill formated messages of course, earlier messages are above]

[Flintstone]

Running scared?

[SafeSpeed]

I just got off the phone with Nell Gordon.

She says: They won't do it. They can't do it. They are not allowed to do it.

[JT]

So no longer even running scared - now they're cowering under the desk!

[Gatsobait]