SAFE ROAD CROSSING CAMPAIGN

The Ramblers' Association has launched a new campaign in England called Safe to Cross. 

Major publicity and lobbying events were held across the country on 11 April, to highlight the problems encountered by walkers where paths are severed by dangerous roads. See the main ramblers site for full details

As part of this campaign the letter below was sent to Lancashire County Council to highlight the problems with examples in the local area.

Cllr Mrs N Ward, Cabinet Member for Highways, Lancashire County Council

^{Dear Cllr Mrs Ward,}

^{RAMBLERS ASSOCIATION - SAFE ROAD CROSSINGS CAMPAIGN}

^{You may be aware that on the 10th April the Ramblers Association will be highlighting the problems of crossing a main road during the course of a walk.}

^{In Lancashire the worst road to cross whilst you are out walking is the Accrington Easterly Bypass (A56), which links the M65 to the M66. A crossing of this bypass is required if you were to walk from either the Peel Park or Baxendon localities to perhaps Great Hameldon or Higher Withins, the latter being places of delightful countryside. However to reach these places from Accrington means crossing the dual carriageway.}

^{Walkers would like to be able to cross all dual carriageways in reasonable safety, for which either a bridge or underpass is required. These roads normally carry a high volume of traffic, which often travels at a high speed. In many places when crossing such a road all that one finds as an aid to the walker is a small gap in the crash barrier in the central strip separating the two carriageways. It is our opinion that the provision for walkers needs to be considerably improved, which will make for safer and more enjoyable visits to the local countryside.}

^{One of slogans being used in the campaign to improve road crossings is ‘You are either quick or dead’.}

^{Besides the Accrington Easterly Bypass a number of other roads are of particular concern, these include:}

Shuttleworth Hall Link Road (A6068 - extension of A56)

Clitheroe Bypass (A59) - Wiswell to Lamb Roe

Bamber Bridge Bypass (A6) - three footpaths involved

A585 near Little Singleton

 

I could supply a list of many other roads and locations if desired, that are a major concern to walkers.

Also a cause of uneasiness for walkers are the problems of walking on country roads. For instance the Ribble Way (a recognised walking route which goes from the Estuary to the source near Ribblehead) is on the B6243 in the section around Great Mitton. It is our belief that the early provision of a bridge over the River near Hacking Hall would be of significant value to walkers, so that the distance walked on the B6243 would be greatly reduced.

We are aware of the Quiet Roads project in Bowland, which is aiming to reduce the speed of vehicles and intensity of use by traffic on selected roads in the Forest of Bowland. If this project can be brought to a successful conclusion then it will improve the life of walkers and others seeking quiet recreation. Frequently the route of a walk will involve a section on a country road when linking two paths on the route of a planned walk. Often these roads have less than ideal visibility as a result of bends and walls or hedgerows at the side of the road.

Not all country roads will be suitable for such an approach, and in some locations the provision of a new footpath that goes parallel to the road concerned will be needed. Successful schemes in this category include the path on the flood embankment at Gubberford Road, Scorton, and recently the provision of a path from Sabden to Black Hill.

Recently the County Council has been taking steps to form a Rights Of Way Improvement Plan, which is a mandatory requirement of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000. It is our strong belief that road crossings and the problems of walking on country roads should feature prominently in such a plan.

copies to:

Cllr T Ormrod, Cabinet member for rural affairs

Cllr G Roberts, Chairman Regulatory Committee

Cllr S Large, Deputy Chairman Regulatory Committee

Cllr C Grunshaw, Chairman Internal Scrutiny Committee

Cllr M Welsh, Chairman Best Value Committee

Richard Toon, Chairman Lancashire Local Access Forum

Area Manager, Highways Agency, Piccadilly Plaza, Manchester

N J Cleave, Highways Consultancy, Cross St, Preston

C Weake, Environment Directorate, Lancashire County Council

BBC Radio Lancashire

Accrington Observer and Times

Lancashire Evening Post

Lancashire Evening Telegraph