An MP has questioned Lancashire County Council and accused it of ‘putting the people of Rossendale at risk from dangerous drivers’ following the news a speed camera would not be installed on a major road, says Lancashire Live. Andy MacNae, the Labour MP for Rossendale and Darwen, says the county council, which is now led by Reform, have gone back on a promise to install a speed camera on Burnley Road East which runs from Waterfoot to Water. He added this promise was made by the previous Conservative leadership following a prolonged campaign by Whitewell residents.
Lancashire County Council say the stretch of road does not meet the national criteria for the deployment of a static speed camera. However, Lancashire County Council added it will continue to engage with residents and to monitor the location with the option of reviewing again in a further 12 months.
Green Party Whitewell ward councillor, Julie Adshead, began the change.org petition in 2022 – Save lives on Burnley Road East – Install speed cameras now! – asking the Lancashire Road Safety Partnership to set up cameras on Burnley Road East due to speeding vehicles. Campaigners presented their online and paper petitions totalling more than 400 signatures as well as more than 20 letters from the children at Water School to the Lancashire Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner at the time Andy Pratt MBE.
MP Andy MacNae said: “I am disappointed that Lancashire County Council are not listening to the voices of residents who call for preventative measures such as speed cameras. The council’s approach to road safety is not in line with established best practices and they are putting the people of Rossendale at risk from dangerous drivers.”
A Lancashire County Council spokesman said: “We have been in preliminary discussions with residents who highlighted speeding concerns on Burnley Road East, Rossendale. However, following a full feasibility study in line with recommended guidance carried out by our road safety engineering team, it has become apparent that this stretch of road does not meet the national criteria for the deployment of a static speed camera.
“Whilst we appreciate that this may not be the outcome residents were hoping for, we will continue to engage with residents and to monitor this location with the option of reviewing again in a further 12 months.”
(Pic: Yay Images)
