‘An utter waste of money and time’: Calls for re-think on controversial road changes

Pendle councillors have blasted a host of work linked with two major projects in Nelson and wider East Lancashire, and say ‘meaningful’ public consultation is needed about alternatives.

Since last autumn, work has been under way to change some roads, junctions, pedestrian crossings and on-street parking, and create new cycle lanes. The activity is mainly linked to two big schemes agreed with the previous government – the £55m East Lancashire Safer, Greener, Healthier Streets programme for a number of boroughs and the £3.4m Accessible Nelson scheme.

But now, Pendle councillors have criticised various measures and called for a re-think. The call came after Independent Coun Yasser Iqbal and Conservative Coun Martyn Stone put forward a motion, labelling much of the roadworks ‘a waste of money’

Coun Iqbal said: “There’s an old saying about ‘don’t fix it, if it’s not broken’. Instead of fixing potholes, we have governments obsessed with widening pavements. A sum of £55million has been allocated across East Lancashire boroughs for various projects while, literally, there are potholes next to these new works.

“Official statements say pedestrians and cyclists will benefit. But how may cyclists actually use the roads which are being dug-up? For example, Scotland Road in Nelson is now narrower and a new cycle lane there only runs for a few hundred yards. It stops abruptly in some places and reverts to the old arrangement.

“Also, previously, there were car parking spaces on both sides of the road. Now, some of that has gone. Businesses are complaining about lost customer parking and people are parking on pavements because of the lack of space.

“I accept some consultation was done in the past. But it was red tape. Very few people would have attended those meetings and understood what was happening. Some of these changes might make sense in the town centre but some of these locations are not in the town centre.

“These schemes need to be completely halted and, I would say, reversed. But that’s probably very optimistic. But these changes are currently making things worse. They’re a complete and utter waste of time and money.’

Coun Martyn Stone said: “It’s very rare that a topic can achieve almost unanimous opinion. But I’ve spoken to hundreds of people and not met a single resident who says anything positive about these road works.

“Cyclists say the cycle lanes are in bad positions and end abruptly. And I’ve not met anyone saying they’re going to take their family for a walk around Nelson’s new boulevards. It’s lamentable.”

He added: “There might have been consultation but it’s hard for people to understand the practical impact. These just seem like anti-car measures with no benefits. We’re seeing rat-runs to avoid town centre routes. And residents feel abandoned – estranged from the new town and what’s happening. It’s a sad state of affairs.

“We need to focus on governance and oversight of these schemes. This work needs to be reversed.”

But Lib-Dem Coun Lola Whipp said: “We had a lot of work in Barnoldswick which got criticism for a while. It was very difficult. Lots of people on the town council felt they should go against it after supporting it. However, Barnoldswick has become more popular since the work was done. People are spending more time there and we’ve had good comments, including from disabled people, saying it’s better. So I do believe people in Nelson will see the benefits in time.”

However, the critical motion was backed in a vote. Councillors said a total £55 million has been allocated for these types of schemes across Burnley, Hyndburn, Pendle and Rossendale. The official aim is to connect homes, jobs and services.

But Pendle councillors called for a full review of both schemes, detailed evidence on projected traffic impacts, congestion modelling, environmental outcomes and value for money. They also want ‘meaningful, ongoing consultation’ with residents, businesses and community groups. They called on Lancashire County Council and other authorities to ‘prioritise practical transport solutions’.