WORKMEN called to install traffic calming measures on an Accrington estate left without doing anything after being challenged by angry residents.

Work to lay down speed bumps down an alleyway behind East Crescent, which is used as a rat run from Ribblesdale Avenue, has been delayed following a confrontation that almost spilled over into violence on Monday.

Milnshaw UKIP Coun Malcolm Pritchard said tempers flared as local residents refused to let the men work.

He said: “They would not let them put the speed bumps down, so they [the council] had to send the workforce away.

“Residents down there do not want speed bumps.

“They will have to come up with a better idea.

“There were quite a few residents saying there was no way they were putting them down.

“It was all fun and games.”

Labour’s Coun Paul Cox, who also represents Milnshaw,said: “When the engineers went to site a couple of residents had some issues.

“I have asked for the work to be suspended.

“The residents were a bit shocked it was happening but it all calmed down when I discussed it.

“I will arrange to meet the residents and discuss what their problems are.

“One man was not adverse to the speed bumps, but he was concerned about other issues, and wanted to know why money wasn’t being spent elsewhere.”

Coun Cox again voiced his concern about speeding traffic down the alley, which led to a child nearly being hit and a petition calling for traffic calming.

He added: “I want the area to become safer.

“Because of the layout of the estate, it is a problem we need to deal with.

“The majority of residents still want the bumps.”

Speed bumps are effective at keeping speed down, but there have been reports of causing damage to cars.

Critics also say it slows the response time for emergency vehicles, and may simply lead to drivers speeding down nearby streets.