Traffic Chaos in Little Lever ? - Rat-Runs - Make the Racecourse Estate a 20 mph zone

At peak periods, traffic in the centre of Little Lever particularly around the Junction can already be a nightmare

Having received Planning Consent, it is likely that construction of the new Tesco Store at Pennine Pets will commence in March and it is suggested that the store will open in September, although I thinks that’s a bit optimistic.

The scheme involves some major traffic alterations which I think are as follows

·        Lever St to become one-way for the last 50 yds into the Junction

·        Narrowing of this stretch of Lever St by widening the pavement.

·        Limited widening of Ainsworth Rd with traffic calming

·        Traffic calming on Dearden St (which will remain two-way)

·        Zebra crossing at the Junction replaced by a Pelican Crossing

·        A new Pelican Crossing on Ainsworth Rd

·        A new Pelican Crossing on Markt St adjacent to the old Council Offices

·        Assorted shifting of Bus Stops

It must be noted that ALL vehicular traffic will enter the store from Ainsworth Rd into Crossley Street - Cars, motorcycles, cycles, HGV’s and pedestrians.

The Lever St entrance will be for pedestrians only.

The Victory Rd entrance will be to the staff car park only (though no doubt pedestrians will also use this to access the store.)

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Whichever side of the argument you have been on for or against this store, the consequence of all the extra traffic generated by the store will undoubtabley result in even greater congestion at the Junction particularly at peak periods. Some would argue that it will be gridlock.

I contend that drivers, particularly those of through traffic, will attempt to avoid the Junction like the plague and the consequence will be the creation of rat-runs.

THE RACECOURSE ESTATE MUST NOT BECOME A RACECOURSE

AINTREE RD

REDCAR RD

The main one will be through the Racecourse Estate via Mytham, Aintree, Redcar &/ or Ripon, Holcombe and Melrose.

Even visitors to the store, particularly from the East of the Village, could, in avoiding the Junction, create rat runs involving Heywood, Chapel & Independent or Lord St & Victory Rd.

Aintree Rd is already on occasions like a race track and I contend that to counteract the rat-run/racetrack issue, the whole of the Racecourse estate should become a 20 mph zone.

Since there are only four entrances/exits to the estate (Aintree, Ediburgh, Redcar & Melrose) this will not be difficult to achieve although it will cost money.

If the Council pleads poverty (as it usually does) then I will campaign for the £30,000 Section 106 money from the development to be spent on this scheme.

It will not reduce the volume of traffic using this rat-run but hopefully it will slow it down.

Promoted by Edith D Sexton, 69 Chester Ave, BL3 1XE on behalf of  Paul Richardson, 24 Ripon Close BL3 1EQ