Agenda item

To consider any Motions for debate in accordance with Council Procedure Rule A9, as amended by Section 10 of the Remote Meetings Procedure Rules.

1)         Notice Submitted on Motion – Speed Cameras – West End and Stanhill, Oswaldtwistle

 

The following motion was proposed by Councillor Glen Harrison and seconded by Councillor Chris Knight under Council Procedure Rule A9:-

 

“Many roads in Hyndburn suffer from speeding motorists, however some areas that are semi-rural or have open stretches of road are also accident hotspots.

 

Blackburn Road, West End, Oswaldtwistle, dubbed "The most dangerous Road in Oswaldtwistle", has had some interventions that have not met their aims of reducing speeds and incidents.

 

Conversely, Stanhill Lane/Road has had no interventions whatsoever and is the scene of many accidents including recently when a car was turned onto its roof.

 

Both of these roads are dangerous to members of the public in Hyndburn causing serious injury and potential fatality.

 

At what point do Lancashire County Council say enough is enough?

 

This Council resolves to write to Highways Chief - the Conservative County Councillor Keith Iddon, to ask that urgent plans are made to install speed cameras on these roads, which is the only single measure that will slow traffic on this road.

 

The introduction of average speed cameras on both of these roads will also bring in revenue as it is a known speeding hotspot, similar to the ones previously installed on Grane Road.”

 

Councillors M Haworth, L Cox, J Allen, S Eaves, S Britcliffe and C Knight spoke in favour of the motion.  Issues raised included the following:-

 

• The matters raised had been the subject of concerns for over 10 years.  Some changes had been secured over that time, but more could be done.  County Councillor Peter Britcliffe and others had lobbied for much of this work and continued to so.  CC Britcliffe had invited representatives of the Speed Management Group to a Scrutiny meeting at County Hall to explain the policy on the use of speed cameras.
• The general challenge about managing speed was supported.  Other areas to the north of Accrington, such Dill Hall Lane, Burnley Road and Lowergate Lane also experienced speed issues.  A Borough wide approach to speed issues was needed.
• Concern that the County Council might not listen to the arguments put.  This might be due to the fact that traffic surveys had only been carried out during the day time when people were generally at work, which might have led to a false conclusion that there were no speeding issues.  It was proposed that the letter should ask for surveys to be undertaken during the school run, just after 5pm and late at night, when the problem was most apparent.
• There had been serious accidents on Blackburn Road, near Intack, in both March and August.
• Other hotspots were identified including Harvey Street, Catlow Hall Street and Roman Road.  The MP had been pushing for additional measures to tackle speeding issues.  It was encouraging to see cross-party working to tackle this problem.
• Further reports were submitted concerning accidents and damage to vehicles and property.  Proactive work had been undertaken with the Police on Blackburn Road recently, which had resulted in penalties and the impounding of some cars.  It was imperative to work with the highways authority and Police to address the issues.

 

Councillor Harrison summed up by welcoming the comments made and acknowledged the work and support of others in addressing this matter.  He confirmed that he was due to attend the Lancashire County Council Scrutiny Committee as a co-opted member.  He intended to discuss the matter further with CC Peter Britcliffe.  He agreed that traffic surveys often took pace at the wrong time of day and that more attention should be focused on the evenings.  He hoped that all Members and partners would continue to work together to improve road safety.

 

After the debate the motion was put to the vote and declared carried.

 

Resolved                             -   That this Council resolves to write to Highways Chief - the Conservative County Councillor Keith Iddon, to ask that urgent plans are made to install speed cameras on Blackburn Road, West End and Stanhill Lane/Road, Oswaldtwistle, which is the only single measure that will slow traffic on these roads.

 

2)         Notice Submitted on Motion – Reduction of Speed Limit from 50mph to 30mph along Harwood Road leading to Lee Lane (between Rishton and Great Harwood)

 

The following motion was proposed by Councillor Jeff Scales and seconded by Councillor Miles Parkinson OBEunder Council Procedure Rule A9:-

 

“There is an extremely severe bend between Rishton and Great Harwood (where Harwood Road becomes Lee Lane) which drivers often take far too fast, and there have been a high number of road traffic accidents, which have almost destroyed the adjacent dry-stone walls. Below is a photo of the aftermath of the most recent accident on 9th August 2019, which completely destroyed a bus stop.  It was only pure luck that nobody was standing there as they would have almost definitely been killed.  I have also attached photos of a further incident which took place on 27th November 2019 which destroyed a section of wall and fence.

 

The Police have confirmed that multiple accidents have taken place in this area.  The area is a danger to pedestrians and motorists alike.

 

The severe bend is also very close to the junction with Wilpshire Road where cars traveling at excessive speed create an additional danger for motorists.

 

Seemingly, defying any common sense, there are 50mph signs at multiple locations along that stretch, which could have the effect of encouraging motorists to speed up at stretch of road with a severe bend which is only practically suitable for speeds up to 30mph.

 

The current 50mph limit along that stretch also contrasts with the speed limits on the stretches of road between Rishton and Clayton-Le-Moors (which is entirely 30mph), and Blackburn Road leading out of Rishton towards Whitebirk roundabout (where the 30mph extends a long way beyond the main urban boundary).

 

I have made representation at the regular traffic/ highways liaison meetings (which HBC officers attend), have referred this issue to LCC Councillors (who have also made representation), and have submitted several requests through the LCC app (and have encouraged Rishton residents to do the same), all to no avail.  On this basis I hope the Council can support this motion”

 

Councillors N Aziz, M Miller, K Walsh, P McGinley and M Parkinson OBE spoke in favour of the motion.  Issues raised included the following:-

 

• The potential for the whole of the route to be subject to a speed restriction.  It was acknowledged that a pedestrian, Betty Saynor, had lost her life on this stretch of road earlier in the year.  Statistics showed that fatality rates were linked directly to speed.  The relevant Portfolio Holder at Lancashire County Council had been invited to view this stretch of road in the past, but no such visit had taken place.  The County Council should take a more proactive stance on road safety.
• An acknowledgement that there were many different types of traffic issues, including parking on pavements, around schools and on yellow lines.  Members needed to identify their highest priorities and continue to lobby the County Council.
• Affirmation that this bend was particularly dangerous, if taken at speed, and that this posed a substantial risk to both pedestrians and animals.
• Acknowledgement that speed restrictions had been lowered on other stretches of the road to fit in with the urban boundaries.  Where warning signage was ineffective other measures needed to be taken.  CC Keith Iddon had been made aware of the two traffic motions due to be discussed today.

 

After the debate the motion was put to the vote and declared carried.

 

Resolved                             -   That this Council resolves to request that Lancashire County Council (as the Highways Authority) gives serious consideration to reducing the speed limit from 50mph to 30mph along the stretch of road which is Harwood Road leading to Lee Lane (between Rishton and Great Harwood) until just after the Wilpshire Road junction.

 

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule A7 and with the consent of the meeting, it was agreed that the meeting should proceed beyond the prescribed 10pm deadline.

 

3)         Notice Submitted on Motion – Business Welcome Pack

 

The following motion was proposed by Councillor Josh Allen and seconded by Councillor Marlene Haworthunder Council Procedure Rule A9:-

 

“That this Council commissions a “business welcome pack” designed to provide as much support and help as possible for Hyndburn businesses currently residing in the Borough and for businesses looking to set up here.

 

The pack would include such information like council services (waste & pest) insurance guidance, available council properties, council rates etc and information on each township why they are fantastic places for any businesses to invest in.

 

As a Council we need to now, more than ever, help local businesses who are already here, or wanting to set up here.”

 

Councillors N Aziz, T Hurn, K Walsh, P McGinley and M Parkinson OBE and Haworth spoke in favour of the motion.  Issues raised included the following:-

 

• Enabling businesses to thrive was a key objective for all councillors.  Any Welcome Pack would need to be innovative and this might best be achieved by providing a web based version, which would save on printing costs.  Support and investment in businesses would also need to be provided by the Government in terms of infrastructure, to aid social and economic mobility.
• Members could be proactive in keeping in touch with local businesses and supporting the Shop Local campaign.
• The Council could consider what properties might be available to businesses and liaise with local landlords to market properties which might have been empty for a number of years.
• Intelligence from small local business owners suggested that they might need support for the advertising of their businesses.
• There was a possibility that a Welcome Pack could be self-financing.  A small Member Working Group might help to steer the direction of this project.
• Partnership working could help with the proposed project.  The pandemic had interrupted the Council’s regular engagement with be business leaders.  Any project might also benefit from the involvement of the leaders of large business.  There was potential to develop a project with Amazing Accrington, which covered small shops across the whole of Hyndburn.
• The project would build on the success of the Shop Local campaign.  The pack could help both existing and new businesses.  Notwithstanding the availability of web based solutions, a paper booklet would be beneficial.

 

After the debate the motion was put to the vote and declared carried.

 

Resolved                             -   That this Council resolves to commission a “business welcome pack” designed to provide as much support and help as possible for Hyndburn businesses currently residing in the Borough and for businesses looking to set up here.

 

4)         Notice Submitted on Motion – Free Car Parking

 

The following motion was moved by Councillor Sarah Britcliffe and seconded by Councillor Judith Addison under Council Procedure Rule A9:-

 

“Hyndburn Council recognises and believes in the importance of free car parking in town Centres as a lifeline to local businesses who are competing with both online shopping and large out of town retail parks.  This is increasingly important at this moment in time, as we need to support our local businesses in the recovery from the CV-19 pandemic.

 

The decision of Property Partners Management, who own the Arndale car park in Accrington, to reduce the amount of free parking from 3 hours to 30 minutes, will be damaging to local businesses who rely on people being able to park for free and visit their shops.  It is also an additional financial burden on many residents, at a difficult time.

 

This Council resolves that the Chief Executive of the Council write a letter to Property Partners Management, to ask that they review their decision in light of the current economic climate and the need for them to play their role in supporting local businesses and residents in the recovery to CV-19.“

 

Councillors G Harrison, M Haworth, K Walsh, M Parkinson OBE and J Addison spoke in favour of the motion.  Issues raised included the following:-

 

• A hope was expressed that negotiations had first taken place with the Arndale Centre management about the issue, before the matter was played out further in the public arena.  There was an acknowledgement that this was a private company with commercial operating pressures.
• Reassurance was provided that all Borough owned car parks remained free to use.
• A recognition that free parking would encourage new businesses to set up in the Borough and was the lifeblood of the town.  There had been a 25 year covenant on the Arndale Car park set up originally, but it was unclear what discussions had taken place when this arrangement had been due to end.  The MP was due to meet with the Andale Centre management tomorrow to discuss the parking issue.
• Free parking in the Arndale Centre tied in with a recent campaign by the controlling group to prevent the introduction of high street parking restrictions in Great Harwood, as proposed by Lancashire County Council.
• A motion had been tabled in January 2019 about the inequity of fines imposed at the Arndale car park.  A Government paper by Robert Jenrick MP, Secretary of State of Housing Communities and Local Government, in August had raised the issue of unfair private parking tickets, which included a new appeals charter.  The document’s strapline said: “encouraging people to come back to the high street to shop local”

 

After the debate the motion was put to the vote and declared carried.

 

Resolved                             -   That this Council resolves that the Chief Executive of the Council write a letter to Property Partners Management, to ask that they review their decision in light of the current economic climate and the need for them to play their role in supporting local businesses and residents in the recovery to CV-19.

 

The Mayor thanked all for their attendance (virtually) and reminded Members that the next meeting would be held on 19^th November 2020.