Residents get hump at bumps

RESIDENTS have launched a new drive against speed bumps in Tockholes.

More than 400 people have signed a petition opposing traffic calming measures in the village

The petition calls for a survey to determine the areas of Tockholes Road that need traffic calming rather than the blanket scheme currently in place.

Residents' joy towards the end of last year - when the council decided to modify the scheme - was short-lived when they realised that only a couple of alterations had taken place.

Council officers looked at the scheme and checked the height of all road humps after complaints that many may be too high. They also reviewed the signs throughout the scheme.

But many villagers said the modifications were unsatisfactory and more should be done to reduce the extent of the scheme, which includes chicanes, humps and priority signs.

Resident Dave Grogan, who organised the petition, said: "A lot of people are still unhappy. Even the man who pushed for traffic calming originally has signed it because even though he felt there was a need for some kind of traffic scheme on the road, which many people agree with, he said it is not what he wanted.

"We have more than 400 names but a lot of people are on holiday.

"The council said that it has received phone calls from members of the public claiming to support the scheme yet fearing to go public because they feel intimidated by those who are against the scheme which is absolute nonsense.

"The scheme is destroying vehicles. My wife only does 3,000 miles a year to work and back and she has had a £500 repair bill for front end suspension."

Mr Grogan hopes to raise the subject of traffic calming at a parish council meeting tonight

Adam Scott, director of regeneration, housing and neighbourhoods for Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: "The residents of Tockholes were involved at all stages during the implementation of the traffic calming scheme through the village.

"During construction any observations of residents were carefully considered and acted upon. Finally whilst vulnerable road users were pleased with the scheme some local residents did experience some difficulties, which they expressed during a public meeting.

"Following the public meeting the scheme was reviewed and eventually modified in order to incorporate the residents concerns.

"Should the Council receive a petition regarding the scheme it will consider it through the normal council procedure and will be reported to the Executive Member for Regeneration."