Bypass bid: Be careful what you wish for

PCAB are concerned at the recent Lancashire County Council “public consultation” for East Lancashire Transport Plan and lodged objections about this consultation process. PCAB are also questioning the validity of the information provided for the bypass proposals, as some of the information in the master plan, and on the public display boards, is wrong or out of date. For example, the traffic flow figures and lack of clarity over accurate route options.

We acknowledge traffic difficulties in the North Valley area of Colne require attention, but maintain a Colne-Foulridge bypass is not the answer. Our small group has found alternatives that would relieve traffic issues on the North Valley, and we ask the people of Pendle to understand a bypass is not the only option available. One example of this can be found in the You Tube film “Poynton Regenerated”, which offers a different approach to road layouts and traffic/pedestrian responsibilities.

We’re being accused of having the “not in my back yard” mentality, but it’s not just “our” back yard.

This is a beautiful area of Lancashire available to locals and tourists alike to enjoy.

This area would not only be destroyed by the introduction of a bypass, with its noise and light pollution, but also two proposed business parks and the inevitable housing developments that would follow.

So, as the title of our letter suggests, please “be careful what you wish for”.

Moving one issue a few miles down a new road won’t resolve the problem, it will only move it elsewhere, and the costs involved to the residents of Pendle are greater than financial.

Rachel Wilson, on behalf of PCAB