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Darwen road system 'could be dangerous'
9:33pm Monday 26th November 2007
THE Darwen road system could have potentially dangerous consequences for road users,' police have said.
Sergeant Mick Young, from the area's road policing unit, came up with his verdict after visiting the town to analyse the controversial new system.
Sgt Young was invited to look at the traffic flow through the town by traders along Duckworth Street after concerns about safety for pedestrians on the system and a loss of trade due to the new layout.
The network was changed as part of a £1.4 million road improvements by Blackburn with Darwen Council to regenerate the town.
The new system allows motorists to drive along Duckworth Street but they cannot continue straight ahead to join Bolton Road.
Market Street and The Circus are restricted access and no-entry zones.
And motorists are directed to drive around the town centre along Bury Street and Green Street as part of the new system.
More than 20 drivers have received £30 fix penalty notices from police for disregarding the road signs.
Improving Darwen's road network amid widespread anger at the revamped town centre system is an aim of the Lancashire Telegraph's 'We're Backing Darwen' campaign which we launched in a bid to help revitalise Darwen.
Sergeant Mick Young said: "I walked around town with one of the traders, Dave Grogan who owns Solitaire Ladieswear, and I saw situations that have the potential dangerous consequences for road users.
"What I saw was drivers here are confused as a result of the town centre road layout.
"It is going to take some time to analyse the road system and speak to council officials about the findings.
"The emergency vehicles have to struggle through standing traffic on most days since the roadworks have been done.
"Also, due to the congestion through Darwen town centre, motorists are seeking alternative routes, through residential areas, to drive across town."
Council bosses from the new ruling coalition have acknowledged that the system has caused problems, but say they do not have the money to carry out any alterations.
The work was carried out when the Labour group ran the council.
Your Say YourTelegraph
Robert, Darwen says...
2:16pm Wed 2 Apr 08
I have commented many times on this and also had a debate with some men in suits who were looking at the problem, I said that any idiot could tell you a yellow junction box should be painted near Boots across the bus lane so buses could access the bus lane AND the emergency services could access the bus lane, also one on main road so traffic sould turn right. Box was painted a month later. Serious question is why the crossing has not been changed at the post office AND why there is NO 2 way traffic sign? Anyway the excuse for the change was poloution - traffic is stood stationary all the time and poloution worse and more importantly the back streets (Howard St, Everton St, Tockholes e.t.c) are now carrying far more traffic!
Clearly someone in charge of this department should resign as they are probably in charge of moving the 30 mph signs at Bull Hill - why are the new signs not legal?
thomas, Darwen says...
3:49pm Mon 3 Dec 07
thomas, Darwen says...
6:53pm Thu 29 Nov 07
The snag would be at Blackamoor cross roads but some modifications would have to be made here in any case if a ring road scheme was adopted. I am not "holding my breath"!! Something needs to be done!
thomas, Darwen says...
5:21pm Wed 28 Nov 07
Tom, Darwen says...
1:55am Wed 28 Nov 07
I remember wondering why parts of the grass at the side of the road (in fields) from the M65 bridge to Sett End had been ploughed. Some months after, it was said as to why (in the LET) it was happening, but more importantly, the whole idea (apart from a few areas around the country) had been scrapped.
Don't know much else, but I remember that article.
Unconvinced, Darwen says...
10:35pm Tue 27 Nov 07
It would be useful if any future posters either:-
a) Gave their views on Thomas's suggestion; or
b) Provided their own alternative.
My own view on Thomas's alternative is that it would only really work for traffic coming south from Blackburn Town Centre or north from Bolton. I can't see how you could easily get traffic from the M65 route onto this 'ring road' for example.
But what do oher people think?
Alexander Gordon, Darwen. on says...
10:21pm Tue 27 Nov 07
graham, Darwen says...
7:43pm Tue 27 Nov 07
thomas, Darwen says...
6:46pm Tue 27 Nov 07
From Blackburn, Brandyhouse Brow, Roman Road, Blackamoor, Darwen Sett End, right into Marsh House Lane, left into Pole Lane, then Grimshaw St. or Watery Lane. "Ah, but that would create less people to shop in Darwen thus affecting more loss of trade!!" If cars are passing through Darwen it does not necessarily mean that they are coming to shop -they are on route to Bolton or Blackburn. If they want to stop and shop they will do so. As I have also previously said it is not the traffic layout that is losing the local trades people their business, it is Sainsbury's, Netto, Iceland where bargains are available - you only need to look at the taxi services at Sainsbury's etc. to see the amount of business here. I say now God help them if Lidl is allowed into town. There are shops in the town centre that sell goods that these large stores don't and with the smaller shops one gets personal service which counts for a lot but tell that to the big store shoppers.
Why can't Bridge Street be opened to traffic again? This would cut out Hardman Way for Redearth and Hoddlesden traffic at a stroke. IS THERE ANYBODY LISTENING?
RB, Darwen says...
3:13pm Tue 27 Nov 07
The traffic used to queue up (at peak times)from Hardman Way to past George St before the works...
Totally agree wih your comments. All routes in and out of Darwen are busy at peak times. Better signage might help and as stated in other comments the traffic signal sequences can be erractic.
Weren't Traders consulted on the development of the town centre and did they not the want pedestranised areas? If so why complain now and if not what oposition did they put up at time?
Blondie, says...
8:39am Tue 27 Nov 07
And the bus lane lights turning green (stopping all traffic) when that invisible bus drives onto the A666 at the leisure centre.
A total waste of road space which as Nick points out creates more congestion. There are less buses on the road now since the transdev take over. One big **** up if you ask me.
Unconvinced, Darwen says...
8:38am Tue 27 Nov 07
The new road system leads to the same congestion and people complain about it.
If anyone can come up with another route for a road for the centre of Darwen that would help, but I'm not sure where else you could put it.
Nick, Darwen says...
2:12am Tue 27 Nov 07
The problem of congestion generally is caused by there being far more cars on the roads - not on road layouts.
And the bus lane lights turning green (stopping all traffic) when that invisible bus drives onto the A666 at the leisure centre.
Not to mention the adverse camber of the road at certain points.
brossen99, says...
12:47am Tue 27 Nov 07
bill, darwen says...
12:39am Tue 27 Nov 07
The problem of congestion generally is caused by there being far more cars on the roads - not on road layouts.
Reduce the numbers of cars on the roads to early 1970's levels and there would be no problem Given that this won't happen, then congestion will get worse and worse as the numbers of vehicles on our roads increase. Darwen is far less congested than the vast majority of towns.
brossen99, says...
10:39pm Mon 26 Nov 07
brossen99, Ribble Valley says...
10:22pm Mon 26 Nov 07
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Robert, Darwen says...
2:30pm Wed 2 Apr 08
Scrapping the bus lane or at worst setting the lights (via floor contacts installed) to only change when a bus is stationary/approachi
ng the lights and then changing to Green without a long delay. Adjusting the lights at the Post Office junction especially approaching from Bolton - anyone noticed that the light shows red (outside opticians) but is green (for approx 2 secs) at Natwest - MORONIC and presumably negligent. Basically the lights are ALL set wrongly and use of road contacts is incorrect. It might not help congestion BUT place the legally required signs AND not on bends!