Years of campaigning to stop speeding on a Colne “rat run” has paid off for Colne residents and councillors.
After a lengthy battle, Lancashire County Council has now allocated more than £70,000 for a traffic calming scheme in Birtwistle Avenue and Harrison Drive.
The area has sparked complaints since around 2010, with an action group being formed last summer after pensioner Eric Judson was knocked down and seriously injured on the route.
Talking about the victory, campaigner and Birtwistle Avenue resident Angela Mitchell said: “I couldn’t believe it when I found out.
“I started approaching the council about the problem since 2010, and now at last I know something is being done.”
And community activist Elaine Wells, also from Birtwistle Avenue, added: “This is just brilliant news for the estate.
“We have been trying for years to get the councils to listen to us without success. This will make a massive difference to the people on the estate.”
The large sum of £73,500, which was secured by County Coun. Azhar Ali, will be used to implement new vehicle activated speed signage and the installation of speed tables and throttle points.
County Coun. Ali said: “The North Valley Estate is a rat run for people trying to avoid the grid-lock on North Valley Road and this has meant local residents especially kids and the elderly being forced to put their lives at risk when crossing the road.
“I am absolutely chuffed that I have had the chance to work with the fantastic residents action group to deliver this major scheme on which work will commence in the summer of this year.”
Other councillors from the area have also been celebrating the news.
Coun. Ian Tweedie said: “I highlighted the problems two years ago to Pendle Council and Lancashire County Council who said they couldn’t do anything to help but since the summer I have been working with the residents action group and County Coun. Azhar Ali to get things moving.”
County Coun. Dorothy Lord said: “I welcome the scheme and am pleased the residents concerns have been listened to. It has been a cross party effort to get this scheme.”
And Leader of Pendle Council Coun. Joe Cooney added: “It is good news that this is going to happen. We now need to put pressure on the county council to complete the scheme on other Colne streets.”
