A Hyndburn councillor has said that “it is a matter of time” before an accident happens as Belthorn village becomes a rat-run for motorists.
The village, which is located just outside Blackburn, has long been used as a cut-through from Grane Road, which connects Haslingden and Blackburn.
However, the relentless traffic has meant that residents are sometimes queuing for one hour to exit the village and Cllr Tina Walker fears that emergency services will not be able to access the town.
She said: “It is not only the road and people not being able to get out of the village, takingt an hour to get down the road.
“It is for emergency vehicles and there is no way at times that emergency vehicles could get through the village.
“Cars mount the curbs and there are families walking past, mothers with pushchairs and children are trying to walk up the paths. It is a matter of time.”
Cllr Walker has said that the issue has been going on for several years but has been made worse by the landslide on Haslingden Road.
Additionally, with work expected to start on Grane Road and at the Guide Interchange, she expects the traffic to become an even bigger issue.
Living on the main road herself, Cllr Walker has become increasingly aware of the mounting issues with the road and is regularly approached by residents looking for a solution.
She added: “It is an issue that is getting worse, there are a number of people who are extremely frustrated.
“It is something that has not gone away and has been going on for some time.”
Cllr Walker has been in contact with Lancashire County Council informing them of the issue but so far has only received a response informing her they are looking into it.
Currently, the lights at the Guide roundabout have been switched off to help manage the issue.
Share