Langho families' plea to stop drivers travelling at high speeds

Fed-up villages have renewed their plea for traffic-calming measures in a bid to stop speeding drivers putting lives at risk.
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Concerned residents of York Village have long been predicting a serious accident on Whalley Old Road, as they claim cars travel in excess of 70 mph in a 30 mph residential area and don't slow down.

For years they have been calling for urgent action to slow down traffic on the busy road and are now seriously concerned about the risk to lives.

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Whalley Old Road resident, Lisa Murray, said: "The excessive speeding along Whalley Old Road, particularly through York Village is dangerous. Drivers don’t think anything about travelling in excess of 50mph through our small village where there is a number of children, animals and elderly residents. As a village we are concerned about the risk to lives and the numerous accidents caused as a results of speeding. Something needs to be done now and not after someone has lost their life”

Residents are asking motorists to stick to the speed limit when travelling through the villageResidents are asking motorists to stick to the speed limit when travelling through the village
Residents are asking motorists to stick to the speed limit when travelling through the village

Angela Wilkinson, landlady of The Lord Nelson, added: "The speed on this road is a serious issue. There's double parked cars and people seem to think its okay to do 50-60mph still. There has been three accidents in as many weeks just up the road when people have been going too fast and ended up off the road. Just on Tuesday there was a car that hit a wall and ended on its roof. The villagers have tried several times over quite a number of years but Ribble Valley Borough Council still say no to more speed restrictions. Do we have to wait for a fatality?"

Meanwhile, villager Mrs Sandra Markey, would like to see the introduction of speed bumps. She said; "We are worried about the increasing speeds coming through York village, it is unnerving and there are older people like us, children and pets in the area. We would like to see speed bumps.”

Billington and Langho ward councillor, Tony Austin, is looking into the matter. He said: "Whalley Old Road is unclassified, but over the years has acquired increasing traffic from some parts of Blackburn, taking a short-cut to the A59 north of Langho or Whalley itself.

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"Both councillors Ged Mirfin, Billington and Langho Parish Council, and myself have spoken to Lancashire County Council about this matter in the past. Fortunately, there is not a history of road accidents in the village of York, most users know the dangers well and many residents park their cars on the road, slowing traffic down.

"It may be of interest that residents aggrieved by problems of speeding, can contact a dedicated police e-mail address - www.lancsroadsafety.co.uk"

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