AN emergency motion has been passed unanimously by Ribble Valley Borough Council opposing plans to carve up the constituency.

Members voiced their concerns over a plan from the Boundary Commission to create a new ‘Clitheroe and Colne’ constituency and see the existing area split into three parts.

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The councillors urged the preservation of the parliament constituency after the motion was proposed by Cllr Ken Hind, and seconded by council leader Cllr Stuart Hirst

Cllr Hind said: “The Boundary Commission proposals are disastrous for the Ribble Valley constituency.

“It’s almost an impossible task what they are proposing.”

Arguments against the proposal are being compiled by a working group that has been set up to talk to the Boundary Commission when it begins to hear submissions on October 11.

The plan would see the Ribble Valley parliamentary constituency split into three parts and divide the borough between two constituencies Clitheroe and Colne and North Lancashire.

Cllr Hirst said: “It would ultimately fracture the well-established community that we have had in the area for around 40 years.

“I’m delighted all of the community in the Ribble Valley has come together to oppose the proposals.”

Ribble Valley MP Nigel Evans said: “I think that it was vitally important that at the meeting all the Labour, Liberal Democrat and Conservative councillors united to vote to stay as one constituency.

“It shows the spirit of the Ribble Valley, that should not be torn apart by the Boundary Commission.”

If the plans go though, Longridge, Chipping, Newton-in-Bowland, Slaidburn, Dunsop Bridge, Waddington, Grindleton, Sawley, Chaigley, Downham, Gisburn and Rimington will all form part of a new rural constituency.

The new Westminster seat would extend to Fylde in the West and as far as Carnforth in the North.

Cllr Hind said: “Using AA route finder we calculate on a good day driving from Gisburn to Carnforth using M6 and A59 takes an hour and 9 minutes. That’s how ridiculous the new constituency plans are.”

Clitheroe would be right on the boundary of a new constituency called Clitheroe and Colne and would include all the remaining parts of the Borough along the A59 going as far as Bamber Bridge.