Campaigners worried about speed limit changes in Hapton (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Campaigners worried about speed limit changes in Hapton

5:00pm Sunday 10th March 2013 in News

A HAPTON woman has voiced her concern after hearing that Lancashire County Council is considering increasing the speed limit on part of Accrington Road from 30mph to 50mph.

Sandra Byrne lives on the road and said ten years ago her daughter was involved in an accident outside her house in which a motorcyclist was killed.

Following the accident local residents mounted a campaign to have the speed limit reduced on the stretch of road, and two years later the limit was decreased from 50mph to 30mph.

But now plans are afoot to change it back.

Mrs Byrne said: “I contacted the council to ask them to cut vegetation back on the road as it was blocking the 30mph signs, and they told me they were considering increasing the speed limit.

“We’re still within the village of Hapton, it’s an area where people live, so it should be a 30mph limit. There’s already been one fatal accident on the road, and a number of non-fatal accidents.”

Hapton ward Councillor Jean Cunningham said: “It’s absolutely scandalous. They need to be decreasing the speed limit on the rest of the road not increasing it here.

“The borough councillors definitely haven’t been consulted. It’s senseless, we will fight this vigorously. I’ve already contacted the police and asked them to address speeding on this road.”

Tim Birbeck, chairman of Hapton Parish Council, said the council had also not been informed of any changes.

He said: “They haven’t consulted with us, we haven’t heard anything. People have come to parish meetings to raise concerns about speeding. There are houses on that road, it should be 30mph. People already pass at 60 or 70mph. I’ve contacted the police and asked them to enforce the speed limit.”

Former County Councillor Marcus Johnstone was instrumental in the campaign to have the speed limit reduced after the fatal accident.

He said: “I’m not surprised by this because they never wanted to reduce the speed limit in the first place. I think it should stay as it is.”

Alan Capstick, highways manager, said: "We hold regular meetings with the police to discuss traffic and safety issues, and are currently considering whether the speed limits on Accrington Road are appropriate.

"If a proposal to change the existing limits comes forward we will consult with local people before any decision is made."

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