New one-way system ‘has brought chaos to town’s roads’
‘It’s an accident waiting to happen’
DRIVERS have hit out at a new one-way system in Accrington town centre, saying it has brought chaos to the roads.
Motorists claim the changes have resulted in cars mistakenly heading the wrong way down one-way streets and some drivers simply ignoring new signs.
One driver told the Observer that the new system was causing havoc and described the situation as ‘an accident waiting to happen’.
A hand written sign has even appeared at one junction directing drivers on which way to go - apparently put there by an exasperated shopkeeper or resident.
Town centre commuter Paul Murray said: “It’s just causing chaos with the road system.”
A ‘NIGHTMARE’ new one-way system in the centre of Accrington has been blamed for bringing ‘chaos on the streets’.
Drivers claim the changes have resulted in cars heading the wrong way down one-way streets and some drivers ignoring the changes completely.
One driver described the situation as ‘ an accident waiting to happen’.
It appears one frustrated retailer or resident has even resorted to putting their own hand written sign to tell drivers which way to go.
Roads bosses say the changes have been made to improve access to the town’s new bus station.
Blackburn Road in the centre of Accrington is now one-way, and the direction of St James Street has been reversed, meaning all traffic from Union Street and Cannon Street is channelled towards Paradise Street and Eagle Street.
A spokesperson for Aw-Rite Petal florists on Blackburn Road said the new layout - also aimed to help boost trade - is causing havoc for their business.
They said: “I’ve seen people trying to come down the one-way road and other people refusing to move and it coming to a standstill.
“Since it’s been introduced it’s just chaos on the streets.
“It’s not helping trade, it’s taking it away and it’s really hard to get parked for deliveries.
“It’s making it really hard work for the businesses on the road to get new customers coming in. And further up it’s havoc because people can’t turn left or right. It’s caused an absolute nightmare in the centre.”
Regular town centre commuter Paul Murray fell foul of the new system, and drove northwards down St James Street, unaware of the change of direction.
Paul, of Water Street in Accrington, said: “Whilst I was there another motorist came over to me and advised that she had just done exactly the same as me. It’s absolutely crazy.
“No one knew anything about it. They’re just asking for a crash.”
Paul added: “There is a no-right turn sign, not easily visible, next to some roadwork barriers but this gives the impression that the barriers have just been pulled to one side and the road is open as normal. It’s just causing chaos with the road system now.”
Lancashire County Council ( LCC) said that Hyndburn council had carried out public information events, and there were signs out to let people know about the changes - which they will review over the next six months.
Rishton resident Ian Kitchin condemned the ‘farcical nature’ of the new system at the junction of Union Road and Blackburn Road - branding it as the “realm of Bertie Wooster”.
He said: “This beggars belief. We saw four cars along Blackburn road running against the traffic flow.
“Had there been an accident the county council would have been in an embarrassing position.”
LCC believe the sign was the work of a ‘frustrated’ local resident to reinforce the one-way system after the barriers on Blackburn Road had been repeatedly moved to allow two-way traffic.