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Contact editor@heskethbank.com
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| LETTERS
- ROADS & ROAD SAFETY |
| Road Signs ? Where are they? I noticed
a beautiful new sign this evening on the way home from Southport
stating " West Lancashire has Everything" |
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Hiding
their bus under a bushel - New Bus Service to Ormskirk |
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| Dear
Sir, I write in support of Joan Clark's letter (5th Feb 08). Like her I am also heartily sick and tired of the speed of traffic on the main roads of Tarleton. If the roads were winding then the situation wouldn't arise. Our forefathers built long straight roads over a flat landscape and I suppose they were built before most of the houses were. Little did they anticipate in those far off days that the average mode of transport in the 21st Century would be able to travel over a mile a minute. Therein lies the problem. We have made progress in one way but not in others. Vehicles can be scrapped and new ones made without much effort. The same cannot be said for the roads they travel along (except the actual surfaces). So what is the solution to this ever growing problem? More Policemen? More Speed Cameras? Speed Bumps? Lower Speed Limits? Limitations on the numbers of Cars? Doubling the cost of Petrol? I could go on. These actions though are draconian and could lead to a police state. Do we really want that? The same goes for holding a mobile phone whilst driving a vehicle - apart from it being a danger to others it is also selfish in the extreme. It is similar to speeding - having no consideration for others. Don't misunderstand me Joan, I'm definitely not saying we should tolerate the inconsiderate and selfish actions of a minority. Far from it. As I said in my first sentence I'm as fed up as most of excessive speeding on the roads in Tarleton. Doing nothing though is also not an option. So where does that leave us? Putting up with it; ignoring it; moving house to the middle of nowhere? NO. Working toward improving attitudes; pestering those in authority to take action; politely reminding those who offend to be more considerate of others are just some of the ways we can make a difference. Can anyone else come up with another solution? Yours faithfully, J Johnston, 9th February 2008 |
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| Dear
Editor, I am very fed up with the blatant breaking of the speed limit and use of mobile phones whilst driving, by drivers on Hesketh Lane , Tarleton. Morning, noon and night this goes on. It’s all very well having one GATS camera, but surely it would be more sensible to have the forward facing ones that show the oncoming driver and whether he or she is on the phone. People are SO arrogant about flouting these laws, and something must be done before there is a fatality. This, sadly, is just waiting to happen. It seems every kind of driver uses the phone when driving, from rude women who think they are above the law because they drive an automatic, to lorry drivers and bus drivers. The latter can be seen most days somewhere in Tarleton. One camera really is not sufficient. Most speeders do so between Moss Lane and the secondary school where speeding drivers, surprise, surprise, slow down to under 30. I am a driver myself and, much to the annoyance of some drivers behind me, do keep to the speed limit. Something really needs to be done. |
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| Traffic
and Road Problems Would it be helpful to involve our MP, David Borrow in finding a solution to the above? He attended a Christmas Fair in the village last weekend and has regular surgeries Here.'s anyone considered contacting him and asking that he lead a campaign concerning our issues? Our concerns may carry more weight. Becky Black, 23rd November 2007 |
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| Traffic
Issues There have been many postings about traffic issues and I feel I could offer a suggestion for slowing traffic in Tarleton. Following an operation for a knee replacement I have used crutches to get about. What a difference it has made to me when crossing roads in the village. Normally I would say I would take my life in my hands dashing between cars and lorries whizzing about hoping to get safely from one side to the other. When I began walking with the help of crutches a different picture appeared and the traffic slowed down and even stopped for me. Perhaps all the residents could borrow crutches for a day and drivers may realise that we have rights too. It was not all good news though. Trying to walk past cars parked on the pavement is more difficult. as some drivers leave little or no room for pedestrians. Why are the car parks in Tarleton not used? Pavements are for pedestrians. Joyce Rydings, 17th November 2007 |
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| ROADWORKS
TOP OF MOSS LANE/STATION ROAD JUNCTION Does anyone else find this a real problem?? I have to turn down Moss Lane in the morning and the bollards/fencing have all been knocked down making it really difficult to turn down Moss Lane into oncoming traffic. Does anyone know how long these road works will be? Lesley Standish-Gore, 9th November 2007 |
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The
State of the Moss Roads These Moss roads are collapsing partly as a result of climate changes. We had a very dry summer in 2006 which caused the mosses to shrink and fissure. This was followed by an extremely wet summer this year causing flooding. The HGV’s and very large tractors now using these roads has resulted in them being undermined causing them to break up. Because of Government involvement in telling Lancashire County Council where to spend its Council Tax revenue, very little has been spent on these roads. However, it is not only the Moss roads that are suffering as many of the other roads in the three parishes are in a bad state of repair due to long term neglect. Apart from the A565 and the A59 all other roads are unclassified or “C” class roads. This is because they are not through roads. The roads, originally made for horse and carts with very little traffic on them, have largely been ignored for upgrading and maintenance over the years. However a vibrant, and vital, agricultural industry exists in this area that now requires HGV’s and large tractors to access it. Had a road, known locally as the Green Lane Link been built, which was presented to the County Council for approval in 1999, then this situation would not have arisen. We appeal to Lancashire County Council to press our Government to allow them to use more of Lancashire’s tax revenue to be spent on Lancashire’s roads on the Northern Parishes. Also, perhaps the Government could be persuaded to loosen its purse strings and release some of the revenue it gains from road tax and fuel duty and actually use it in the manner for which it was intended. Signed, The Northern Parishes Road group, 19th October 2007 |
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TRAFFIC
ISSUES I have also kept newspaper cuttings from 2003 and 2004 and looking back on those I am concerned that despite a lot of fine words being spoken at the time nothing seems to have been attempted to reduce traffic and traffic speeds in Tarleton. I quote the
“Village Visiter” from October 15th
2003;- A further
quote from the “Southport Visiter”
from July 9th 2004;- Lancashire County Council in Oct 2006 stated –“A relief road would only reduce general traffic in Tarleton by 14-17% & HGV’s by 24-30% whilst causing a considerable increase in general traffic and HGV’s on Taylor’s Meanygate. It would not be practical to ban HGV’s from Tarleton Village and that they have no proposals for traffic or speed of traffic in Tarleton. The Department of Transport in 2003 refused to increase the number of speed limit signs on Church Road & Blackgate Lane, a quote from their own advisory leaflet stated ‘For 30mph lit roads, no repeaters (speed limit signs) are permitted under the regulations 10(2)(a). David Borrow in 2006 passed on concerns to LCC who in turn replied they were not prepared to do anything. So………. Does Lancs CC not appreciate that residents would love to see a 24-30% reduction in HGV’s using the village? Does the Dept of Transport not consider that its rules might need changing? Would our duly elected County Councillor please report on what actions have actually been taken by those who were said to be trying for. A. A 20 miles per hour speed limit on Church Road. ( Many other areas in West Lancs have similar limits) B. A Pedestrian Crossing on Church Road. C. Slower Traffic through our lovely village. In the absence of replies to earlier question one can only assume that those in the know have their own agenda and are really not interested in making Tarleton a safer place for residents who elected them. Yours faithfully, |
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| WALKING
BUS Dear Sir, I was delighted to observe a group of children on the Coe Lane estate in Tarleton using the' walking bus' system on Wednesday. I undertsand they start off with the child that lives the farthest away and stop at various prearranged locations until all children compete their journey at Holy Trinity Cof E school on Church Road. Obviously they are supervised by adults and all wear high visibility yellow jackets. This sets a good example to the children in encouraging exercise and reducing the volume of vehicles taking children to school in the morning. I hope parents in other areas of Tarleton will consider replicating this. Regards J. Rydings, 1st July 2007 |
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| I
have been viewing the recent posts regarding the state of the roads
around our area, and agree with a lot of what is being written.
Most of the correspondents want action to come from our elected
representatives, which whilst necessary, is nowhere near the end
of the problem. To give people an insight into the total incompetence
of the councils themselves, take note of the following.
Some of you may have noticed in the week before
the 4th June, signage at a few locations in the Carr Lane area,
informing of a three week closure for water main repairs. At 9.00am
on the 4th June, as indicated, two workmen in a large Lancashire
County Council lorry started placing additional signage to inform
drivers the road was closed. This work took six hours to complete,
whereupon they left for the day. Amusement aside, Tuesday the 5th June, the same two workmen in the same LCC vehicle arrived, and promptly took down all the signs and disappeared. At rough reckoning, two men, six hours per day each, probably earning about £15 per hour plus the running costs of the vehicle, this little exercise cost us about £400. For this sum of money, there was no work carried out at all, so either they have cancelled the job for no reason or maybe they've suddenly heard that Walking Day takes place on the 9th June, in which case the same two workmen will be back the following Monday to do exactly the same. The words booze up and brewery spring readily to mind, although I would have put it a little differently. So folks, don't hold your breath on getting anything done by our District or County Council's, neither of them know their bottom from their elbow, again my version is slightly different. Chris Stringfellow, 6th June 2006 |
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Miles per hour? for Hesketh Bank and Tarleton. After all the recent discussion on Roads, etc I still await an answer to my question regarding the above. Cllr Rydings seems to be the only Cllr now commenting on this Web Site. Do any of the others bother to read what is being discussed? Are they really interested now that they have been elected? If so may we have comments from those higher up please about the actions they propose to take to make the villages a safer place for all residents? Hopefully the newly elected Cllrs may actually be instrumental in progressing the wishes of those who elected them. J Johnston, 5th June 2007 |
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| Dear
Sir, I apologise to J Ball for assuming you were a male. Perhaps you could use your first name to prevent me making a mistake like this again. I have answered your question - I know you don't like my reply but to continue with this topic would be going round in circles. We'll just have to beg to differ in our methods of dealing with a problem. I respect your opinions so please respect mine. Yours faithfully, Parish Cllr. Dave Rydings, 4th June 2007 |
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Dear
Sir, |
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| Dear
Sir, I for one am not apportioning blame Mr J Ball just stating the facts as they are. Do you really think your elected representatives spend their waking moments passing the blame on to each other? There is only so much money to go around and the facts are that a trifling amount has been allocated to the road repair programme for the whole of Lancashire by the elected County Council. I for one am very unhappy about it but am trying to do something about it. I would agree with you Mr R Hodson that locally elected representatives should support the people who elected them regardless of political persuasion who live within the area they were elected for. I certainly will do just that. As I stated in my previous letter - Can you think of a better system? Communism? Dictatorship? Democracy, with all its many, many faults has been around a long, long time. Insurance covers you for mishaps, etc., so if you think you've voted for the wrong party your insurance is that you can vote them out in 4 to 5 years time. On the other hand if you don't vote you have no grounds for complaint have you? in other words no insurance! Mr R Hodson & Mr J Ball; like you I care very much about the area I live in and whilst I would love to see the roads improved, the pavements repaired, the water pressure increased, more police presence, slower traffic, no HGV's in the village ..... I could go on. ... I have to work within the democratic system, like it or not, which is all I can do. Yours faithfully, Parish Cllr. Dave Rydings. 3rd June 2007 |
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Sir, As there is no debate to be had about the shocking state of these roads then just what are we actually being asked to lobby for - the council to do their job? Will these roads only become a priority when they actually become impassable? If that is the case then at the present rate of deterioration I would estimate that to be within 12 months anyway (and thus should be budgeted for in any case). It is infuriating to see our elected representatives trying to make political capital whilst watching the roads of our village break apart . No doubt Mr Rydings is correct about Lancashire County Council being tasked with maintaining our roads but perhaps he might take the time to consider that if his beloved West Lancashire District Councillors had not repeatedly passed totally inappropriate developments without there being suitable infrastructure in place then this would not be an issue. Whether it be industrial scale food distribution centres or housing estates, West Lancs have continued to nod them off and then shrug their shoulders when the roads, sewers, water pressure etc fail to cope with the additional demand. As you say Mr Ridings, in a democracy there are rights and responsibilities and Instead of lecturing us, perhaps you could run a seminar at WLDC. Speaking of rights and responsibilities, perhaps our elected County Councillor would care to answer the very simple question posed by Mr Holcroft - when will our roads be repaired? J. Ball, 3rd June 2007 |
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Typical
politicians answer, Mr. Rydings, you will go far! |
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| Dear
Sir, Mr R Hodson states "why does everything have to get political?" Unfortunately that is the nature of living in a Democracy. Does he believe we really over blessed with plenty of people in authority who actually do nothing? I would venture to suggest Mr R Hodson you consider this. There is more to the state of our roads than just sweeping them. I agree Bob does a splendid job but he is not responsible for the road or pavement surface or deciding if a new road should be built. Bob has stood for the Parish Council on 2 occasions but has failed to gain enough votes to get elected. Like it or not Mr R Hodson that is "Democracy". It involves rights and responsibilities. You have the right to criticise those in authority and even vote against them at every election but your responsibility, whilst living in this democracy, is to accept the will of the majority of voters. Can you suggest a better system to live in? The next [Tarleton] Parish Council meeting is on Monday 11th June at 7.30pm in the Pavilion on Carr Lane where you have the right to air your opinions on matters that concern the Parish Council. You will be very welcome. Yours faithfully, Parish Cllr. Dave Rydings, 2nd June 2007 |
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Why
does everything have to get political? I am a native of Hesketh
Bank and like every other village and town throughout the country
we have seen a reduction in services, policing etc continuously
through successive governments whether Labour or Conservative
and we have had to pay continuously more for it. |
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Dear
Sir, On February 22 at the full Council meeting, Cty. Cllr Keith Young, spokesman on transport and highways for the Conservative Group tabled a critical motion calling attention to the Labour Council’s failure to maintain the County highways and pavements to an acceptable standard. The notice of motion called on the Labour Cabinet to, “demonstrate its commitment to the urgent implementation of policies to remedy these deficiencies so that residents will feel that something tangible is being done.” Labour Councillors refused to support the motion indicating that they at least were perfectly satisfied with things as they were. Numbers of Conservative Councillors intervened in the debate citing examples of poor performance brought to them by their constituents. These included temporary patching rather than proper repairs, poor response times, defects not attended causing hazards to pedestrians, in some cases giving rise to claims for personal injury. One member said that the backlog of maintenance was so great that Lancashire’s roads are among the worst in the country. If lack of resources is the problem, that is down to the Labour government, which refuses to provide sufficient money for councils to spend on these basic services. Other members complained of traffic congestion, the withdrawal of heavily subsidised school bus services without any attempt to look for more economical means of delivery. This at a time when the Local Transport Plan calls for increased bus usage. The Conservatives have already put forward proposals for a £3 million program for refurbishing pavements throughout the County. This could have been financed by modest reductions in the 154 million miles travelled by Council staff every year but Labour turned it down. What is needed is a more creative “Can Do” approach designed to address these problems rather than complacent self-congratulation over Lancashire’s four-star “excellent” Council status. As Cllr Young pointed out during the debate: “The Government may choose to think that this is an excellent Council but if you ask those people who use Lancashire’s roads and pavements every day what they thought, you would get a very different kind of answer.” (Ends) I'm sure that both the correspondents will appreciate that there is no immediate solution to the problem as long as Labour hold the purse strings at County Hall. What I would ask is that they support Conservative moves to get more funding for roads and pavements in Lancashire. The Green Lane Link is high on the local Conservatives agenda as the only real solution to ensuring HGV's do not need to access the village when travelling to the Moss. Yours faithfully, |
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| Road
Problems I would agree with Simon Holcroft about the state of certain roads in and around Tarleton.Not only are the roads a great concern but also the state of the pavements owing to the massive lorries which now patrol our village. I think as far back as 1997 a route was sought by the villagers to take the lorries out of the village and avoid the dreadful problems we now encounter. Can anyone tell me what progress has been made in this matter over the 10 years, if any and where we go from here? Most routes where schools are located now have 20 miles per hour signs highly visible, Burscough being one close at hand. Do we have any here ? If not why not? Are we not concerned with our children's safety? Tarleton Parish Council had plans to resurface the Car Park opposite the school in Church Road. Do any of the Councillors try to persuade drivers in Tarleton to actually park in the Car Parks and not on the streets (or pavements) causing obstructions? Will we see any positive action from our Councillors be they Parish, District or Council to benefit the tired residents? J Johnston, 28th May 2007 |
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Hundred
End Lane |
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Bank
Bridge: |
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saftey issues please! We can start a new thread on local
politics if anyone wants to start the ball rolling with a new
topic. Editor, 21st September 2006 |
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Sir, Here we go again - I am beginning to wonder if JH reads letters properly. Instead of being impatient in rushing off a reply he should read my letter again. I have described the difference between Branch and Association and my relative involvement with both. Does JH have a reading impairment? Regards Dave Rydings. 21st Septmeber 2006 |
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Dear
Editor, |
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Sir, I am concerned that this topic has become political in its content. This was never my intention but it is obvious it was JH's. As I have stated previously I am not the Political officer of the "Association". I am the Membership secretary. The "Association" covers the whole of the constituency of South Ribble. Within that constituency there are a number of "Branches". Hesketh Bank, Banks and Tarleton are a "Branch" within the South Ribble Association. I am Vice Chair (political) of that Branch. P Hipwell used the word "Association" and I was ensuring I answered his query accurately. The Website that JH eludes to clearly explains that. (www.northernparishesconservatives.co.uk) The website has been set up by the Branch as a way of advising the residents in this area that far from being defunct (JH's words) we are a very active Branch of the very active South Ribble Conservative Association. I will not make anymore comments on this theme - this subject heading is "Road Safety" and not Local Politics. I would though appreciate if my letter could be published if only to set the record straight. Yours faithfully, Dave Rydings, 20th September 2006 |
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Officer Dear Editor, Thats funny, I could have sworn that on the (now defunct) Tarleton & Banks Conservative Association Website - the legend POLITICAL, in brackets, could clearly be seen following Mr. Rydings name and position!! Maybe it means something different these days! Cllr. J.E. Hodson. 20th September, 2006 |
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Dear
Sir, I was questioning
Chris's evidence and reasoning not his views. |
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Sir, In reply to Mr Rydings letter dated 16th September I for one would like to know what he thinks of Chris Stringfellow's remarks regarding the recent Beirut Square goings on. Having asked about evidence he now seems to be unable to comment on the matter. As Mr Rydings often seems to be apt to do, he seems only to be able to see the things he can have a good old moan about and unable to take things further when someone directly answers one of his questions. Could Mr Rydings also inform those of us less educated in political matters what exactly the difference between a "Political Officer" and a "Membership Secretary" actually is, since it is obviously important? Don't get me wrong here Dave, I most certainly appreciate your contributions to an otherwise fairly apathetic political arena within the villages. They often put a smile on my face. P. Hipwell, 18th September 2006 |
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| Dear
Sir, The heading of this theme is supposed to be 'Road Safety'. The main reason that the majority of people objected to the siting of the police resource centre on the Over 60's car park was one of road safety. Let us please not forget that fact. The so called 'corporate decision' (Mr Hodson likes his fancy phrases doesn't he?) by the whole Parish Council is not and was not, correct. He and he alone, as Chairman, initially negotiated with the police and gave the Parish Council his interpretation of the discussions he had with the police. The police would not even allow a plan of the centre to be made available to the public and alternative location costings were based on opinion not fact. Other locations were offered in the village but not persued by either JH or the police. I wonder why? Where did I 'attack' or 'insult' Chis Stringfellow's intelligence? Unlike JH I regularily discuss village issues with Chris and I respect his opinions. We can have an intelligent discussion with each other and agree to differ without falling out. This would never be possible with JH. How could JH call the public meeting 'trumped up'? The Tarleton Suite was full to capacity at that meeting and the police were invited to discuss their ideas with the residents but declined. Even JH himself did not attend. I suppose he doesn't like people challenging his ideas. The police declined on the grounds of not getting involved in local politics. A fact worth adding here is that the Police Chief Superindent at the time was moved to a desk job at Hutton shortly afterwards The fact that a Conservative Councillor was elected should go some way to convince JH that maybe that is what the residents of Tarleton wanted. It's called democracy.Why wasn't JH re-elected as a District Councillor after just one term in office? It could only be that voters didn't want him to represent them. I have become increasingly convinced that he believes his own 'spin'. To set the record straight I am not the Political Officer to the local Conservative Association I am the Membership Secretary. Oh dear, yet another JH mistake. Yours faithfully, Dave Rydings, 16th September 2006 |
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In reply to Mr Rydings letter, and the points he raises, no I did not attend any of events he mentions, by the time of these the outcome was already a foregone conclusion. As for delving deeper into the accusations, by the time he dug deeper, the police had already pulled out. In reply to the other points, yes I have proof of these crimes, yes I do report them to the police, and as he is well aware, a member of my family is on the PACT. If he wants proof of the crimes, let me see, a burnt out house on Hesketh Lane, the target of an arson attack - the shell is still there, a recent attack on a person in Mark Square with a golf club, plus the assailants smashed a car with the same weapon - this was witnessed by numerous people including myself, the same evening, attempted petrol bomb attacks in a nearby street, members of my family tell me they will not go near Mark Sqare after dusk, its too frightening, ask the local shopkeepers who open at night how much trade they have lost in recent months - how much evidence would Mr Rydings like? Tarleton is
starting to feel more like Beirut than a Lancashire village. In
terms of paying more for my policing, why should I? I already
pay council taxes for policing, and I am not receiving a service
for that, I'm getting Mickey Mouse and Pluto on pushbikes, I'm
not asking for different treatment than any other resident of
the area, we all pay for the police - when are we going to see
a return on our payments. Finally, I have attended a number of
these PUBLIC MEETINGS with the police in the past, and I know
full well, the only people they will listen to are their political
masters, from local and central government, hence my call for
our local politicians to join forces and get something done, not
leave it to Joe Public - they were all elected to represent US,
lets see them put their money where their mouths are and do some
representing. |
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Dear
Editor, |
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Dear
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Further to Jackie Parry's letter dated 14th September, my feeling is that if we had a real police presence in Tarleton, instead of the Mickey Mouse CSO's, they could deal with illegal cycling activities by prosecuting some of the offenders. As things stand, the CSO's are barely out of school themselves, and spend more time hanging around Mark Square precinct or the streets with their former mates. Since the out and out sabotaging of the proposed Police Station in the village centre by a vociferous few, it has become quite noticeable that the police are giving this area a wide berth and choosing to patrol other parts of the district. We now have a situation in Tarleton, and presumably Hesketh Bank where violent crimes are going unchecked, burglary numbers are rising and large numbers of residents are refusing to use the village shopping areas after 5.00pm due to the intimidation they perceive from the large numbers of younger people congregating there. In all aspects of community life, Tarleton is becoming the OK Corral of West Lancashire, and until we receive a decent police service for our council taxes, it will continue to worsen. My personal opinion is that it is now time for our Parish Councillors, be they Conservative or Independent, Tarleton and Hesketh Bank, to unite and demand a better service from Lancashire Constabulary, with a regular (REAL, not mickey mouse) police presence and patrols in Tarleton and Hesketh Bank. Does anyone else have any views on this matter? Chris Stringfellow, 14th September 2006 |
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| Cyclists,
young and old enough to know better, just don't seem to be bothered
with having LIGHTS on their bikes. If someone got injured (or worse) it would undoubtably be the driver's fault, yet we (drivers) should be congratulated on awareness and good vision on many an occasion, or am I the only one to have come across "night cyclists". Up and down pavements without so much as a backward glance to see if there is a car there and if it is safe for them to join the road. Not only that but groups of cyclists, often 2 or 3 abreast like they own the road and drivers must take avoiding action. Children/youths of Tarleton High, in my opinion need talking to on the safety aspect of: 1 - NOT cycling in a group as they chatter on the way home 2 - NOT giving rude hand signals when drivers pass 3 - NOT going on/off the pavement without so much as a look to see what is behind them. 4 - NOT riding without lights Community Service Officers/Police Officers should go in to the school on a regular basis to serve a message of safety and awareness of other road users to all pupils. If they are doing that already, then it is not working..... Jackie Parry, 14th September 2006 |
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| Dear
Sir, I would be interested to hear from any resident in Tarleton if they are concerned about the size and number of HGV's that are using Coe Lane, Church Road, Blackgate Lane and Gorse Lane. The number and times that these vehicles use these roads as well as any observations they may have as to the environmental effect they have on their lives. I am trying to build a survey based on residents observations and opinions as I feel that this would provide a broader picture than a one off survey which is usually based on traffic counts at a given time and does not seem to involve any discussions with residents. I will submit my results on this website as soon as I consider I have enough facts to present, so any observations and opinions residents have would be welcome and treated in strict confidence. Please send them to wheelsman (at) aol.com Yours faithfully, Dave Rydings, 6th September 2006 |
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| While
negotiating the normal traffic chaos outside the Hesketh Bank coop,
with a queue of cars waiting as I tried to turn back on myself by
reversing into the space by the side of the HSBC bank, my car stopped
dead with a loud disheartening scrunch. Wondering who or what I
had hit I looked again in my mirrors to see...........nothing, no
car, no bollard no pensioner,.... nout. It was only by upon getting
out I noticed the tree stump on the corner impaled in my bumper.
Unlike the bollards a meter further back, this stump has been cut
low enough to be completely invisible from any rear view mirror
yet left high enough to do some automotive GBH. Could someone somewhere see that it is removed completely or better still replanted with a sapling. Yours, one hundred pounds poorer...... Nick Kemp, 9th April 2006 |
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Dear Editor |
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In
response to Dave Rydings letter about parking.I phoned the police
complaining I couldn't walk along Kearsley Ave without having
to walk on the road as cars were parked on the pavement upto garden
fences and walls. |
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I've
just read the brochure about the proposed redevelopment of Mark
Square. I cannot make up my mind if it will be good for the village or not (but that is not the point of this letter). I am glad that we managed to retain the parking spaces on the Over 60's car park as looking at the plans for Mark Sq it appears that a considerable number of car parking spaces will be lost. These were around the back of the Square and were not used much anyway. Parking outside the Off Licence and The Estate Agents on Church Road should be eliminated with the new mini-roundabout so at least it will remove that problem. I agree with the previous correspondent that double yellow lines are not the answer. People ignore them anyway and parked cars slow down the traffic. I just wish more of the arrogant drivers who park on pavements would be given a parking ticket. Dave Rydings, 31st October 2005 |
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With
regard the recent comments about motorists' parking on the pavement;
I feel that the problem is not simply the parking two wheels up
on the kerb, but their parking on the road at all. There is no
"selfishness" in a motorist parking on the kerb; they
are simply showing consideration for other motorists at the expense
of pedestrians.
There's no need to labour the point about the roads in Tarleton being over capacity because this is perfectly evident, and parked cars only exacerbate the problem. On Hesketh Lane and Church Road this presents a traffic problem, and on side roads such as Hillcrest Drive and Sutton Avenue, a safety issue. Many of the traditional houses along Hesketh Lane have long, narrow driveways, and I expect that the problem is laziness. These houses have off-road parking for two or three cars, but residents won't make the effort to shuffle them around and instead leave one on the road. I lose count of the times I've queued with two dozen other cars to pass a car parked outside a house with an empty driveway. In Hillcrest Drive this has reached the point where I regularly stop just off the junction at the top to let a car all the way up from the top of Holly Grove / Hillcrest Close, because there is nowhere to pass in between. Being as Hesketh Lane clearly can't be widened, and Johnsons Meanygate can't be extended to the by-pass, we're stuck with large goods vehicles, and heavy commuter traffic, through the village. It would be a sad state of affairs if Holy Trinity church and the Becconsall Inn needed to be joined by unsightly double yellow lines, but I don't feel the road has any capacity for on-road (or on-pavement) parking. One small respite from this situation would at least come with the proposed expansion of the Mark's Square facility, which might just tempt the worst parkers in the village, those outside Threshers etc, onto the attractive new car park. Regards, |
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Dear
Sir, I wonder how many of our local councillors noticed the piece in this weeks (04 August) Ormskirk Advertiser about Bertie the dog. Over the years, I have repeatedly questioned the Parish Council regarding the speed, volume of traffic and possiblity of traffic calming on Carr Lane, and for those with long enough memories, you will recall my son ended up in an intensive care unit in Liverpool following an accident on Carr Lane. Along Carr Lane is a childrens play area, a rugby ground where children play and a football / cricket ground where children play. Are the council going to wait for an escalation from a dog to a child before considering action. To date they have made noises about traffic calming being part of the stipulations for the rugby club - red paint on the road, part of the agreement for the Pavilion extension - nothing at all and we'll carry out a consultation via the Village Voice - again nothing at all. One of your other letters highlights the commendable speed of Councillor Kay in dealing with a local issue, lets hope the rest of the council can learn from him, put their backsides in gear and actually listen to the people they are purporting to represent. Finally, having lost animals to some of the speed freaks who use Carr Lane, may I offer my sympathy to Mr. Gordon for the loss of his dog. Chris Stringfellow, 5th August 2006 |
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question was asked at last Tuesday's Tarleton Parish Council Meeting
-"why is Tarleton afflicted with motorists parking on the pavements?" We were advised that at the PACT meetings this topic is raised every month. We were also advised by our local JP Councillor that in his opinion the Crown Prosecution Service would not take any action against a motorist who parked on the pavement even if our local Community Beat Manager gave the driver a ticket for illegally parking. We have reached a very sad state of affairs when a mother pushing a pram has to go into the road to get round a vehicle that has been parked with 2 wheels on the pavement by a selfish driver. I for one intend to take this further and I hope others will do so as well. Dave Rydings, 22nd July 2005 |
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mother has to walk along Gorse Lane in fear because of the footpath
being so small and lumpy with large LGV's going up and down to the
farms.You need to see two LGV's passing each other to see one big
heavy problem, the road is too small yet cars park all over the
place making it harder still for the LGV's to pass and for people
who try to walk along that part of the road, One side has no pavement
in parts and the other has big lumps and uneven pavement, How are
the older people coping with walking sticks / wheelchairs etc, and
now more houses built there and the road is worse still now as they
have dug it up.....Why can't the pavements be sorted to make it
safer for everybody ?? Paul Morgan, 29th March 2005 |
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| Dear
Sir, I cannot help but support the main point of Carol's letter - People Drive Too Fast. I wrote to the Chief Traffic and Development Engineer (South), Sue White, at County Hall several times last year about the speed of traffic and poor signage in the village. I wrote to the Parish Council on the same subject last year and they advised me they would take it up with LCC. I have recently written to County Councillor Jean Yates who is the cabinet member for highways and transportation and received a reply last week that she will get one of her officers to look at the situation. Carol - why is it that ordinary folk like you and me can see a problem and those in authority appear to be completely oblivious about it? All it takes is a qualification in plain old common sense to know that unless measures are taken very soon we are heading toward a major incident on Church Road, Coe Lane or Hesketh Lane. Dave Rydings, 25th March 2005 |
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Regarding
Steve Hoghton's comments about cyclists riding without lights
- as usual this is a comment aimed at children and their parents.
I have 4 children my eldest son uses lights on his bike - IT IS
ADULTS he should be pointing the finger at as well. For example
a few weeks ago I met 2 elderly people with one badly lit light
between them, they were nearly knocked off their bikes down Guide
Road, further up Station Road I passed a man riding a bike with
NO lights and carrying a small dog (jack russell) in one arm!!!!
Whilst I appreciate Steve may be concerned for children being
knocked off their bikes in the dark, is your driving perfect -
have you ever driven without full care and attention, have you
ever speeded....... |
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| Dear
Sir, This is also my final utterance on on the subject of the Parish Council's ineffectiveness on road safety. I am aware of the responsibilities and limitations of the Parish Council but their village plan indicated that they would take up the cudgel of road safety on behalf of residents because that is one subject the residents indicated concerned them. This then carries a responsibility if the Parish Council produce an action plan and indicate in that action plan that they will, within 3 months, request LCC to carry out a review of traffic within the Tarleton area. Bear in mind this was September 2003. The Parish Council make public the minutes of their meetings and have distributed 2 newsletters. I cannot find any record of discussions with LCC on the subject of road safety in any of those publications. I ask again - have they had any discussions with LCC and if so what has been achieved? Are we likely to see any improvement in road safety within the village? That is why I stated my belief that they are good at producing pieces of paper. That is why I questioned the effectiveness of the Parish Council. So, I have come full circle - what was the point of the village plan and why produce an action plan? I rest my case. Your faithfully Dave Rydings, 7th January 2004 |
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Dear
Editor,
I apologise for writing to you again, it is not my intention to use the letters page as my own private soapbox. However, I thought the subject was "Road Safety", not "let's find something (anything) to have another go at the Parish Council about". If Dave Rydings were serious about road safety he would follow the guidance I have quoted from the West Lancs District Council website. On the other hand, if he were just trying to make some politically-inspired points, he would continue to blame the Parish Council for everything from the state of the weather to the state of the roads. I suppose we have to watch out for future letters (on any subject) being hijacked to enable blame to be piled high at the door of the Parish Council - at least until the next round of local elections are out of the way! Dave seems to be slightly confused as to the differing responsibilities of the Parish, District and County Councils, although a brief look at the Tarleton Parish Council website would have clarified his misunderstanding. The Parish Council website shows that in practice their responsibilities are really quite low-level stuff, but naturally of importance to those of us who live here:
The extract I have already quoted from West Lancs District Council shows that responsibility for potholes, road signs, traffic calming, etc clearly lies with the County Council. We might wish that was not the case, we might believe that if the Parish Council were given the powers they would be able to implement what we residents actually want, but wishful thinking about getting the Parish Council to make a take-over bid for highway maintenance is as realistic as blaming the District Council at Ormskirk for the war in Iraq. In neither case has the council been given the power to do anything about the situtation. Although both councils are free to express an opinion and offer advice on any matter under the sun (as are we all), the ultimate responsibility lies further up the chain. If, like Dave, anybody else feels that our District and County councillors have not been doing the job they have been elected to do (in this case on road safety), I urge you to take the matter up with them directly. Blaming the Parish Council for the failings of the District and County Councils is neither fair nor rational. Blaming the District Council for the failings of the Council Council is equally wrong. The Parish Council can and do lobby on traffic issues with considerable vigour, as does the District Council, but the responsible body is the County Council, as explained on the WLDC website. By all means ask the Parish Council to emphasise to WLDC and LCC how important the matter is to us, but I'm sure a far better response would be achieved if we were to bring our concerns directly to those bodies with the power to do something about it. So I stick with my original advice - fol low the guidance on the WLDC website and report problems and concerns to Ormskirk, who will pass them on to the County Council. And that, I promise, is my last word on the subject, other than to say a short article on the various responsibilities of the Parish, District and County Councils would be interesting for both villages (Hesketh Bank and Tarleton) if anybody could be persuaded to write one. We would then know where our various complaints could be most effectively directed. Apart from perhaps achieving a successful resolution of the particular problem, this would provide an additional, valuable benefit by avoiding a potential avalanche of letters on various subjects, all attempting to shovel blame onto the Parish Council (whose members are unpaid) in a transparent attempt to protect those really responsible (who receive payment just for turning up at meetings). Which makes me think ...... that would be another interesting article ..... the payments made by the three levels of council to our local representatives.
Yours, |
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| Dear
Sir, I appreciate the support from Glenys but I would suggest she misses the point. The Parish Council was the instigator of the Village Plan and appears to have done nothing to deal with the concerns of residents about traffic within the village. If they have, then I for one, would like some details. They have been very good at publishing pieces of paper . Does the Parish Council have the powers to change matters regarding traffic? Does the Parish Council have any powers? Traffic issues are of great concern to the residents of Tarleton and, in my opinion, should be treated with a greater urgency by our locally elected representatives. The Green Lane link has been talked about for a considerably long time. If my comments give the impression that I consider that nothing has been done about it whose fault is that? We, the residents, are the ones who delegate to the Parish Council to act on our behalf. It does not give them the right to ignore our concerns. It is up to them to take up the issues with WLDC & LCC on our behalf and report back any progress or otherwise. So Glenys, to suggest that we, the residents, should lobby the WLDC & LCC defeats the object of the Parish Council. Yours faithfully Dave Rydings, 5th January 2005 |
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Dear
Editor,
I agree with David Rydings' complaint about a perceived lack of progress on road safety in Tarleton. The wishes of the people of Tarleton (as expressed, for example, in the "Village View") have for too long been ignored by those with the power to do something about it. There have been many years of discussions, and meetings, and public displays of sympathy - but, as Dave says, little has happened. But there is one point on which I disagree with him - his suggestion that we wait for the elections to ask prospective candidates what they intend to do about traffic conditions in the village. Asking prospective candidates what they intend to do will result only in more words and extravagant promises. I suggest that we don't wait until then - we ask now, but we ask our current representatives to account for their lack of progress. The following extract from WLDC's website shows where responsibility for this state of affairs lies:
Sadly only two of our three West Lancs District Council seats are currently filled, and equally regrettably we do not for the moment have a County Council representative. As the above extract shows, we can all speak directly to the District Council and ask them to pass on our concerns to the County Council. The councillors have so far proved themselves somewhat ineffective, so perhaps it would be a good time to take matters into our own hands and make our feelings clear to those with the power to do something about it. And doing it sooner, rather than later too! Regards, |
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Sir, I am prompted to comment on the recent letters about road safety within the village of Tarleton. The inadequacy of the road network within the village is the crux of the matter and this was highlighted in the results from the consultation with villagers carried out prior to the "Village Plan" being published in 2003. A considerable amount of money was laid out to pay for a report by a respected company, Atkins, to carry out a traffic survey in Tarleton. The survey's recommendations were published in 2003 and the first edition of the Parish Councils "Village View" in March 2004 asked for support for pedestrian crossings outside our schools. It is now 2005 - what has been achieved? The road signs within the village are poor yet according to Lancs CC they "are adequate and meet the regulations". The feasibility study for a "Green Lane Link" was carried out in 1999 with a view to reducing the volume of HGV's coming through the village. Those in authority seems to be aware of the problems but seem unable to do anything about it. I would therefore suggest that when the local elections come up this year you ask the prospective candidates what they intend to do about traffic issues within the village - especially those who have been councillors since 2002. Yours faithfully, David Rydings, 4th January 2005 |
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read with interest the letter from Katie Cotterell regarding the
mini roundabout problems on Coe Lane. We live in The Chimes, and
when leaving join Church Rd at the mini roundabout junction with
Trinity Way. When pulling out you cannot see very far into the village
without nosing the car into the roundabout. If a car is leaving
the village and doesn't slow down the driver pulling out cannot
see them. We have had several near misses, several "two fingered
salutes" from drivers who fail to slow down and think we are
pulling out in front of them, when in fact we can't see them in
time. Over the last 3 months we have had numerous speed bumps installed on the four roads that make up this estate. In the two years we have lived here we have had no problem with speeding drivers on the estate. Its when you try to leave that the problems start. Speed Bumps need to be installed on Church Road between Blackgate Lane and the mini roundabout, and probably on Coe Lane too before someone is killed. Paul Cartwright, 31st December 2004 |
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Sir, As a local resident of hesketh bank, I have to travel in and around the village frequently. I am amazed at the number of cyclists I see (or rather don't see) who think it's OK to ride around at night and early mornings ON the roads & footpaths, with no lights or bright clothing. I am constantly having to swerve around unlit cyclists, who also wear dark clothing !?! and when I sound my horn or shout "lights" at these *$£%^ 's I am given the reverse victory sign or told to £$%^& OFF !!!!. I myself like to ride a bike, and wouldn't dream of going out at night without lights on my bike or bright clothing. What are the school s in and around the villages teaching them, when they do the cycling proficiency courses? Bearing in mind the number of hgv's that now use our local roads for access to the many growers in the region, it's only a matter of time before a death or serious injury occurs.What are the local police doing about this? very little as far as I can see. I have even seen a cyclist riding past the local bobby at NIGHT with no lights!?!. Parents should also take responsiblity for their childrens safety by fitting lights on their bikes.I don't want to read of a local childs death or serious injury on our roads due to the lack of parental common sense and an inability to act on the part of our local constabulary. Steve Houghton, 31st December 2004 |
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Dear
Ed, |
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| Tarleton
Community Road Watch Scheme I welcome the establishment of the Tarleton Community Road Watch Scheme but I am concerned that its terms of reference and performance targets are too narrow. As a resident of Hesketh Lane, I have recently witnessed on two occasions near misses between motor cars and children riding on unlit bicycles at night. The University of Wharton in Pennsylvania has done extensive research into near misses with regard to major accidents. Their research shows that most catastrophic accidents are often preceded by a number of near misses which tended to evoke a "phew that was lucky" response rather than somebody drawing the appropriate lesson and putting in place necessary risk mitigation. For any family in Tarleton and Hesketh Bank the loss of a child would be a catastrophe. The survival chances of a cyclist involved in an accident with a car are minimal as compared to the motorist. The dark blue school uniforms of the local school blend into the dusk at this time of year increasing inherent risk. The Community Road Watch Scheme could play a useful role in supporting the Police, Community Service Officers and the schools in getting the message across. Bob Robinson, 24th November, 2004 |
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Don't
Just Spectate - Participate! GOT SOMETHING TO SAY - EMAIL THE EDITOR Please don't forget to include your name and subject of your letter. Anonymous letters will not be published. Contact details are required. (Address and telephone number - these will not be published or kept but are required for validation) |
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