An angry resident has tackled local authority bosses over their failure to promise to remove chicanes she and her neighbours believe have made a road more dangerous.

Eileen Hall attended Blackburn with Darwen Council's executive board to say the traffic calming measures in Pole Lane, Darwen, had done nothing to reduce speeding on the highway.

She and her neighbour Barbara Simpson attended the meeting on Thursday night to back up a 167-signature petition submitted to the local authority on the issue.

They were supported by West Pennine ward councillor and Conservative finance spokesperson Neil Slater.

Speaking to borough growth boss Cllr Quesir Mahmood, Mrs Hall said: "We are told there is no evidence to suggest the traffic calming scheme/chicanes have made Pole Lane more dangerous, despite the evidence submitted to the council in detail in my previous correspondence."

Lancashire Telegraph: Barbara Simpson, left, and Eileen Hall, speaking to LDR Bill JacobsBarbara Simpson, left, and Eileen Hall, speaking to LDR Bill Jacobs

She listed a number of examples, including: 

  • vehicles driving on the wrong side of the road at speed;
  • vehicles speeding to get to the chicane before oncoming traffic;
  • vehicles driving through the chicanes at the same time from opposite ends;
  • vehicles overtaking waiting vehicles at give way markings;
  • vehicles driving on the pavement when chicanes are blocked; and
  • the dangers exiting and entering driveways:

She added: "Why is none of this accepted as evidence? Has any of it been investigated?"

Cllr Mahmood replied: "The highway service considers this is anecdotal information rather than evidence,as we have not received photographs or videos or other tangible evidence to demonstrate the points which have been raised.

"Mrs Hall has recently introduced a considerable amount of new information and it will need to be analysed by the highways team.

"The highways service has taken account of all the information previously provided along with the data provided by a speed survey undertaken in 2023.

"This is why we have suggested that the current traffic calming measures should be reviewed and amendments considered to further address residents’ concerns about vehicle speeds along Pole Lane.

"There is no available funding in this financial year for any remedial measures on Pole Lane.

"If Pole Lane is to be prioritised in 2024/2025 then something would need to be taken off the current approved capital programme or alternatively a proposal put forward for funding from the 2025/2026 programme."

Mrs Hall asked him: "Why are the residents being asked to do the council's work for it?"

After the exchange, she said: "I am not happy with Cllr Mahmood's response. We don't want additional measures. We want the chicanes removed.

"This is not democratic."

Mrs Simpson said: "I live near the chicanes. They are very dangerous."