Drivers’ fury over roadwork delays
HIGHWAYS bosses say they will be monitoring works on one of Hyndburn’s busiest roads - after temporary traffic lights caused chaos for drivers.
The four-way lights - set up as part of roadworks on the junction of Whalley Road and Burnley Road in Clayton-le-Moors - have been causing tailbacks for drivers both heading towards, and away from, Accrington.
Road users reported that normally quick journeys are being severely delayed since lights were set up at the busy junction on July 23.
Businesses have been feeling the pain, with shops noticeably quieter and customers arriving late for appointments because of the works.
Pamela Brankin, owner of the Crowning Glory hair salon, described the congestion as ‘terrible’.
She said: “A journey that normally takes five or ten minutes is now taking 30 - people are getting irate.
“It’s terrible, obviously people are getting impatient in the heat - they’re not letting people out, people are late for work. They’re driving around the queues and nearly hitting others.”
She questioned why the works could not be completed at night.
She said: “People are late for appointments, it’s not their fault, but it’s just very inconvenient for everybody. Big wagons and delivery vans aren’t able to park, and if they do, they’re affecting everyone - it’s a mess.
“They should have done the work at night. I’ve been past twice now and nobody was there working - just one guy controlling the traffic lights.”
Lancashire County Council (LCC) said their inspectors will be monitoring the site - where utility company Green Frog Connect Ltd is laying cables to connect a substation with the Moorfield Industrial Estate - to ensure compliance with their agreement.
A spokesman for LCC said: “The only way to safely lay the cables across the junction is to have four-way temporary traffic lights in place, however we had specified before work started that these must be manned from 7am to 7pm so that the contractor could respond to traffic levels and minimise disruption as far as possible. The work was also programmed during the school holidays when traffic levels are lower.
“Following the problems last week we have met with the company to ensure the work will be carried out according to the conditions agreed, and our inspector will be visiting frequently to monitor progress.”
In response Green Frog Connect said they are complying with their agreement and are due to finish a week early.
A spokesperson said: “We apologise for any inconvenience caused and have taken measures to ensure that we have kept any disruption to a minimum. The crews on site are managing the control of the lights during peak periods as stipulated in the licence acceptance from the council.
“We are on schedule to complete these works ahead of schedule and should be clear of the junction in question currently anticipated by August 13 assuming there are no unforeseen problems encountered.
“Permanent lights will then be restored.”