Royal Lancashire Show plans get go–ahead
THE Royal Lancashire Show will have a new home at Myerscough – despite warnings of traffic chaos.
The Duchy of Lancaster has been granted planning permission to develop a new permanent home for the show at Head Nook Quarry in Garstang Road, Barton.
The first show is expected to be held on the site this summer – with permission granted for a further two years.
The site can be used for up to 28 days a year, meaning there is scope to host a number of smaller events on the land.
Peter Crompton, speaking on behalf of the Duchy of Lancaster, told Wyre Council's planning committee the show would bring advantages for the area.
He said: "While change is unsettling, we believe the proposals will bring positive enhancements to the area."
Those opposed to the development disagreed.
Local resident Anthony Fox said the show could detract from Wyre's current agricultural shows at Great Eccleston and Garstang.
He said: "This does not reflect the character and traditions of the area. It will not contribute to the economy or enhance the environment. It could make it more difficult to survive for our current local shows."
Jane Exley said the traffic generated by the show would cause major problems in St Michaels on Wyre.
She branded the transport plan provided by the Duchy as "inherently flawed"– a point supported by other residents.
Paul Spink from Barton said the transport proposals were "not sustainable" and would cause real environmental damage.
He said: "You are going to end up sending people 30 miles out of their way. You are talking about an extra 6 in petrol for every visitor using the diversion routes. That is a cost to the public of 60,000, not counting the cost to the environment of the extra emissions."
John Nickols of St Michaels said the organisers had no way of controlling traffic off their site, meaning the traffic plan was "useless".
Other residents questioned how emergency services could get through and how local businesses would suffer from the traffic.
However, local councillor, Peter Murphy said extra police could keep traffic flowing.
He said: "We all know there are going to be traffic problems. But with police on the pinch points, we can make this work."
Coun Gordon McCann said he understood the objections of residents, but Wyre was unable to go against the recommendations of the Highways Agency and Lancashire County Council, who both said traffic would not be an issue.
Coun Ramesh Gandhi unsuccessfully called for the application to be deferred for the traffic problems to be more closely investigated.
The event is due to take place on July 18,19 and 20. It will make a return to the Fylde for Lancashire's biggest agricultural event after a 33-year absence. The show was previously held near Stanley Park in Blackpool from 1954 to 1972.
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Weather for Preston
Wednesday 23 May 2012
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Temperature: 11 C to 18 C
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