Traffic plan will not ease journeys
I have just attended an exhibition of the Central Lancashire Masterplan at the South Ribble Council offices in Leyland.
I am very concerned that this plan makes no attempt whatsoever to alleviate the severe traffic congestion in Lostock Hall, particularly - Lostock Lane, Brownedge Road, Watkin Lane, Leyland Road and Stanifield Lane.
Lancashire County Council has not considered the impact on these roads and how it will affect residents lives. By making the A582 Penwortham Bypass dual carriage way you would funnel more traffic through Lostock Hall, this combined with the prospect of the huge unwanted development on the Cureden Strategic Site alongside Lostock Lane and rumoured Ikea store, would make the situation unbearable.
I am very concerned that the South Ribble Cross Borough Bypass has been dropped from these plans. With housing development proposed at Pickerings Farm off Leyland Road, and continued development near the Gasworks traffic will again be bottlenecked and congested through Lostock Hall.
The bypass that would connect Leyland Road, through Walton Park and to the A6 is crucial to making the situation easier.
As I understand it, this road has been an ambition for a number of years, why has it been dropped?
When there is an accident on the motorway M6, M61 or M65, Lostock Hall, Bamber Bridge and the A6 into Preston grids to a halt, the proposed Cureden Strategic Site does not consider the impact traffic will have on local communities. Redesigning the M65 roundabout at junction one is not sufficient - neither is relying on Lostock Lane, Stanifield Lane, Watkin Road to cope with thousands more cars. It’s at breaking point at the moment.
Lancashire County Council is again leaving Lostock Hall to languish in gridlock. The decision you make now is critical. Roads are at breaking point already; It shouldn’t take nearly an hour to drive into Preston from Lostock Hall at peak time as it does now. The impact of future developments has been completely overlooked in this plan and would urge you to think again.
Concerned of Lostock Hall.
Police chiefs are best promoted
The latest lunacy about to be foisted upon us is the introduction of bright young things from other professions who will be put on a fast track to the very top of our police forces, without the necessity of getting their hands coarsened by practical experience on the way there.
Keep politics out of policing.
I suppose, to be absolutely fair, this is no different to the route taken by a substantial number of our Members of Parliament, who having graduated are popped into think tanks and then fished out after a brief spell swimming about as political advisors and lobbyists to enter the Houses of Parliament and beyond for a life dedicated to tireless self-service and personal fulfilment.
I realise, as a very old codger, that my generation is irrelevant to what are termed the needs and aspirations of a modern society.
But it is very hard to stand respectfully to one side as today’s movers and shakers contemplate the lowering of the voting age to 16, gay marriages in church, the abandonment of our dairy industry to the rapacious supermarkets and the unchecked growth of the compensation culture
Thanks go to local papers like yours who are good enough to supply an outlet for our anger and frustration, and there are an awful lot of us!
Gordon Garment, Chipping
Guild Wheel is the perfect legacy
Is there any better legacy of the 2012 Guild than the superb Preston Wheel? I very much doubt it after my first February bike ride round the 21 mile circuit on a beautiful winter’s day.
Despite the recent snow, puddles, potholes and mud were notable by their absence and once again Prestonians were out in force, particularly on the glorious stretch along the Ribble.The Sir Bradleys were there and so were plenty of family groups with stabilisers. It’s going to be an all-year-round attraction for all ages and abilities.The Preston Passion, the processions and the outdoor finale with Jose Carreras and Katherine Jenkins were all first class, but in 2032 I think the people of Preston will look back at the vision and commitment of those who dreamed up and created the Preston Wheel with gratitude.
Julian Wilde, Lytham
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