Objections mount over Burnley FC matchday Lancashire County Council road closure scheme
Proposals to close busy roads around Turf Moor on match days have been branded “utter madness” by a concerned vicar who fears it could lead to the cancellation of weddings, prevent elderly people from worship and see a loss of trade for local businesses.
The proposal, from Lancashire County Council and Burnley Football Club, would introduce a Prohibition of Driving on certain roads from two hours before kick-off until one hour after the final whistle (up to a maximum of eight hours in any 24-hour period).
The roads affected include Belvedere Road, Brunshaw Road, Harry Potts Way, Higgin Street, Todmorden Road and Yorkshire Street.
However, concerned that this could lead to the cancellation of weddings and prohibit elderly from visiting their place of worship, Fr Roger Parker from St Catherine’s in Todmorden Road appealed to the Burnley Exoress to highlight the issue.
He said such is the worry that the Anglican Bishop of Blackburn and the Catholic Bishop of Salford will be writing to the county council to oppose the plans, which they say breach an individual’s human right to worship.
Fr Parker said: “We only found out about this proposal when someone put it on Facebook. None of the residents, churches, local business or registry office have been informed. There are a few flimsy notices hanging on lamp-posts.
“The road closures will mean people who need their car to worship at St Catherine’s, St Mary’s and also a mosque on Leyland Road will not be able to do so. That is an infringement of the Human Rights Act.
“Many of the people who are objecting are lifelong Burnley season ticket holders who live locally and don’t see any reason for the proposals. If these closures occurr when there’s a wedding at either of the churches or the registry office they won’t be able to get the wedding card down the road. It’s just utter madness.”
Fr Parker’s views were echoed by Helen Beech, who runs the neighbouring St Catherine’s Community Centre.
She said: “We have groups for the elderly or vulnerable who are isolated. We also have youth groups and a community choir. It’s already very difficult getting to the community centre.”
One resident, who asked not to be named, questioned whether the proposal could affect trade for independent businesses in the area.
They said: “I feel this is a cyncial attempt by the football club to attract supporters to the fan zone at Turf Moor on match days, rather than using local shops and cafes.”
Responding to the concerns, Lancashire County Council stressed that the proposals are designed to enhance public safety and represent only minor changes to traffic management arrangements that have been in place for more than a decade.
Matt Townsend, the council's director of Highways and Transport, said: “Crowd safety is of paramount importance, and has always been at the fore of robust arrangements for access and egress at this location since 2012.
“However, operational changes to match day management have required the existing arrangement to be updated with minimal changes to what has been in place since 2012, and are undergoing a full statutory consultation process, including press notices and the ability to submit objections.
“This means that a small additional length of road has been incorporated at the junction of Brunshaw Road, Higgin Street and Mitella Street, to allow for crowd safety at the end of a game.
“Any road closure for this reason would last from a maximum of two hours before matches until one hour afterwards, and for no more than eight hours in any given 24 hours.
“An authorised traffic management representative for the club, authorised by our highways team, has the remit of making road closure decisions according to the conditions on the day.
“They will work with the local community to prioritise safety, while maintaining access to properties and minimising disruption wherever possible.
“Access arrangements are in place to ensure residents, including elderly and disabled people, can enter and leave the area safely, including for attending places of worship and other local venues.”
Lancashire County Council is inviting comments from residents, businesses and road users as part of the consultation process.
The deadline for responses is July 3rd. Comments can be emailed to [email protected] quoting reference LSG4/104438/ARF.