Burnley hits back over ‘most dangerous’ quotes

Burnley’s MP Gordon Birtwistle has called on people to stop buying the Daily Mail after it featured an article branding the town as one of the most dangerous places on the planet.
Washworx on Trafalgar Street in Burnley.
Photo Ben ParsonsWashworx on Trafalgar Street in Burnley.
Photo Ben Parsons
Washworx on Trafalgar Street in Burnley. Photo Ben Parsons

On Tuesday, the Daily Mail published a series of photographs of what it described as “the most dangerous places in the world”, taken by Google street cars.

Burnley’s Trafalgar Street, sitting between images of Liberty City in Miami, Tepito in Mexico City, Bogota in Columbia, slums in Bangkok’s Klongtoey district and Skid Row in Los Angeles has caused outrage in the town.

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Mr Birtwistle says he was appalled and urged people to boycott the paper in protest. In a letter to the Daily Mail’s editor he says: “Running down Burnley is an easy line for journalists to take. It’s also wrong.

Washworx on Trafalgar Street in Burnley.
Photo Ben ParsonsWashworx on Trafalgar Street in Burnley.
Photo Ben Parsons
Washworx on Trafalgar Street in Burnley. Photo Ben Parsons

“Visit Burnley now and you’re coming to a town which is a top choice for developing businesses. A town which last year was named as the one of the best in the North-West for business growth by Experian; one which came 10th in the country for private sector jobs growth. And a town which recently won a Government award, being named the most enterprising area in the UK.” He has invited representatives from the newspaper to come to Burnley.

The area in the picture, opposite the new Univeristy Techical College, has been redeveloped into the Washworx car wash. Joint owner Barry Wilson said: “I think the article and picture were taken completely out of context and out of date. This part of Trafalgar Street is looking very impressive at the moment.”

Council deputy leader Coun. Mark Townsend said: “We do get frustrated when Burnley undeservedly gets bad Press but in this case the story is so ridiculous it can’t be taken seriously.”

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