Samaritan signs on road bridges in bid to reduce suicides
JON MACPHERSON
SUICIDE prevention signs are set to be installed on bridges in Hyndburn in a bid to cut the number of people taking their own life.
It comes after a campaign was launched for special safety measures at a bridge in Knuzden after two incidents in four days.
Councillors in Hyndburn will write to Highways England calling for taller fencing and higher
barriers after a motion was unanimously passed.
The Observer reported last month how resident Leanne Preston launched a petition for special measures after she talked down a young man from the bridge. It has received more than 500 signatures.
Coun Loraine Cox said the council will also provide funding for eight Samaritans signs which will be placed on local bridges.
Speaking at a recent council meeting, she said: “Working together we are getting eight signs from the Samaritans.
“People who go to commit suicide on these bridges, nine out of 10 times they don’t want to do it.
“They want somebody to talk to.
“These signs will have a number for people to talk to.”
Coun Glen Harrison said if special safety measures save one life ‘then it’s serves it’s purpose’.
He said: “It’s absolutely horrendous.
“County Councillor Peter Britcliffe has also put his weight behind this too and I absolutely welcome this.”
Coun Marlene Haworth said the Conservative group have been working ‘proactively’ on the issue and Highways England have been contacted by Lancashire County Council’s highways boss Keith Iddon and the public health department ‘regarding a number of bridge sites where suicide attempts have been made’.
She said: “I’m quite confident that we will get a response.”