The G7 Speaker's Conference is set to take place in Lancashire this weekend, meaning there'll be some disruptions to traffic and travel.

The UK Speaker of the House of Commons, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, is to welcome seven of the world's most important politicians to Chorley on 17-19 September 2021, with Sir Lindsay saying he could think of 'no better place in the country than his constituency of Chorley' in which to host his international counterparts.

Those attending will include: Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the US House of Representatives; Richard Ferrand, the President of the French National Assembly; Roberto Fico, President of the Italian Chamber of Deputies; David Sassoli, President of the EU Parliament, and representatives from Germany, Canada and Japan.

The theme of the Speakers' G7 is 'Secure versus Open Parliaments?' 

Lancashire Telegraph:

Local road closures will be in place on September 18 and 19 around the town centre, and the area around Astley Hall will close from today to allow for the G7 event.

There will be some closures and restrictions from:

  • 10am to 6pm Saturday 18 September 2021
  • 8.30am - 1pm Sunday 19 September 2021

These will in effect close Union Street from the library to the Town Hall and the roads surrounding the Buzz Bingo site. There will be no access down Market Street from the Town Hall.

The closures will be clearly signposted with diversions in place.

Astley Park access:

Area around Astley Hall will be fenced off with barriers erected from 4.30pm on Wednesday.

All other public access to the park will be unchanged with people able to walk from the town centre to Astley Village and vice versa.

Pedestrian access through the park will be maintained at all times and the play area will be open.

Businesses in and around Astley Hall will close at 4.30pm on Wednesday and will reopen to public at 1pm on Sunday.

Hallgate car park will be closed from Wednesday afternoon until Sunday to accommodate the event but all other park car parks will be open.

A mobile police station and team will be in the park if people need them.

Litter bins will be taken out in the park so please take your rubbish home if you visit at the weekend.

A spokesperson for the council said: "This is a great opportunity to showcase Chorley on an international stage and we’ll be featuring in the news a lot in the next few days"

Deputy leader of Chorley Council, Councillor Peter Wilson, said: "This will be the first time ever that Chorley has hosted an international conference. We are deeply honoured that our local MP, who is also Speaker of the House of Commons, has chosen Astley Hall as the venue for the Speakers' G7.

"We believe the hall is the jewel in our crown and we are so proud that we will be able to show Speakers from across the world this special part of our heritage.

"Of course, an event on this scale does not come without some minor disruption and as such there will be some road closures around the centre and the area around Astley Hall will be closed off to the public.

"We ask you all to be patient with this and encourage you to get into the spirit of the weekend and be proud to see Chorley on the world stage."

Sir Lindsay Hoyle MP said: "I look forward to welcoming my counterparts to one of the most beautiful parts of the UK - to the town where I was born and brought up - to Lancashire and the North-West.

"I hope to offer the Speakers and Presiding Officers the chance to sample the best of Lancashire hospitality, from Morecambe Bay shrimps to Lancashire creamy, crumbly and tasty cheeses and beautiful scenery at Hoghton Tower, Rivington and Duxbury Woods, in person and not via Zoom."