Confusion over best remedy for blackspot
CALLS for action over traffic jams at a notorious bottleneck have been backed by a local authority – but questions remain over the best solution to the problem.
Hyndburn borough’s Full Council meeting last Thursday backed two motions on the congestion problems at the Hare and Hounds junction on Whalley Road in Clayton-le-Moors. Motions from both the Conservative and Labour groups backed an option engineering study and a relief road respectively.
The Tory proposal welcomed the recently announced £494m investment in Lancashire’s transport infrastructure from savings from cancelling the northern leg of HS2 and resolved to support Hyndburn MP Sara Britcliffe in seeking to secure some of this funding for an engineering study to look at options for solving the congestion problems.
The Labour motion sought support for a relief road between the M65 and Great Harwood to bypass the bottleneck.
Interim leader of the council and its Tory group Peter Britcliffe, said: “We all know that a solution needs to be found at the Hare and Hounds junction. This is an issue that’s been kicked into the long grass by the previous Labour administration.
“With the help of our Conservative MP, we have now had Lancashire County Council and the Roads Minister visit the site in recent times.
“This council will support her fully in trying to get an engineering study so we can properly assess the options and create a better situation for residents and commuters alike.”
But Labour deputy leader Cllr Noordad Aziz, who proposed the Labour motion, said: “We want action rather than the Conservative approach and motion which just wanted to commission yet another report without offering a solution.
“The congestion on Whalley Road is a pressing issue that affects the daily
lives of our residents and hinders economic growth in our borough.
“By advocating for the construction of this link road, we are taking proactive measures to address these challenges and improve the quality of life
for our residents.”
Cllr Melissa Fisher, who seconded his motion, said: “As an elected representative of Clayton-le-Moors, it is important that we seek solutions to the congestion challenge on Whal
ley Road.
“The potential of this link road presents an opportunity to enhance connectivity, reduce congestion, and address a chronic issue that impacts my residents’ lives on a daily basis.”