ROAD safety, traffic jams and the their effect on local residents look set to be the key issues in next month's election battle between Hyndburn Council leader George Slynn and independent candidate Adrian Shurmer.

Mr Shurmer, a long-standing critic of the borough's traffic calming schemes, is set to visit traffic jam sites in Accrington, Clayton-le-Moors and Rishton to hand out leaflets outlining his wish for a review of council policy.

But Coun Slynn, a member of Lancashire County Council's highways committee and a former chairman, has insisted that traffic calming saves lives.

Mr Shurmer, the author of a borough guidebook, is standing against Coun Slynn, Labour leader for 14 years, in the Netherton ward in Great Harwood.

Hyndburn Conservative Association decided to allow a straight fight between Mr Shurmer and Coun Slynn when they announced they would not be fielding a candidate in the ward. Mr Shurmer, a retired police driving instructor, said: "At the moment Hyndburn is one of the most unpleasant places in which to drive."

He said taxpayers' money spent on traffic calming could have been better spent on improving life for citizens.

"It is time to have a total review on these traffic-calming measures and consult local people as a whole."

Coun Slynn replied: "It has been proved beyond any doubt that traffic calming or road safety measures save lives and nearly every council is enacting such schemes. These measures are carried out at the public's behest. For every boy racer who opposes them there are a dozen parents who support them."

I know it is a nuisance for sensible motorists but if they save lives then surely they are worth it."

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