AN angry landlord has hit out at plans to install a zebra crossing outside his Oswaldtwistle pub.

Paul Fitzpatrick said the proposed crossing, outside the Hare and Hounds in Blackburn Road, would severely restrict parking for patrons and residents alike. The 49-year-old said there was no reason for the crossing.

He said: “There’s already a crossing 200 metres down the road. I’ve been here four years and there has been no accidents, except one in July, which was not fatal.

“There are no schools here, there’s a church up the road but it’s only small.”

Mr Fitzpatrick said he only heard about plans last month. He and several residents erected posters in their windows saying ‘No to the zebra crossing’ and a petition containing 40 signatures was handed to the county council.

He said: “It would restrict parking on the street. The zig-zags would cover the front of the pub and there’s hardly any parking now. It will affect all the residents parking 150 yards down the road too.”

The pub relies on parking for customers during its busy quiz nights, Mr Fitzpatrick added.

He said: “A lot of the teams have one person driving and the rest drinking, so they need a car. I don’t want them put off because they are unable to park.

“I have spoken to Peter Britcliffe and he said he will support us as much as he is able to.”

St Andrew’s councillor and leader of the opposition at Hyndburn Council, Peter Britcliffe, said the issue needed ‘looking at again’ ahead of the proposed installation date in October.

He said: “I’m not convinced a zebra crossing is appropriate in that position. I would have thought, if any crossing was there, it should be a pelican crossing”.

Nobody from Lancashire County Council was available for comment.

But Oliver Starkey, high-ways manager for Hynd-burn, said: “We've recently consulted on a proposal for a zebra crossing on Blackburn Road which has been a longstanding request from councillors and residents due to pedestrians reporting that it was difficult for them to cross, particularly at busy times.

“Blackburn Road is a very busy road and this location has been proposed as it's a place where people choose to cross the road, being near the bus stops, pub and post office.

“If put in place it would result in the loss of a small number of parking spaces as cars “A report presenting all responses to the consultation will be put to the cabinet member for highways and transport, who will make the final decision on whether or not it goes ahead.”