DO you remember the days when men, not machines, directed the traffic at the busy junction at the top of Church Street, Blackburn?

And do you recall when the signals of police officers changed to those of red, amber and green?

This image shows the day when police constable Brian Hill took off his white coat and gloves to end the 40-year ritual performed by Blackburn Borough Police.

That day in September, 1968, PC Hill had been on point duty at what was the town’s last remaining manned traffic where Church Street met Darwen Street and King William Street, As his shift came to an end, the officer took a final glance at the new traffic signals which had gone up at the junction, looked to see if the road was clear and walked off the point.

The lights winked their commands, controlled from their nerve centre on the new island in the middle of the new junction and automation took over from the often hard-worked bobby.

A few passers-by stood on the Old Bank corner to witness the end of an era, which had seen policemen controlling the traffic flow there since the 1920s.

Twelve standards were needed to direct the ever increasing number of cars, lorries and buses on the roads, instead of the two arms of the on-duty police constable.

There were, however, many officers who were glad they had been succeeded by machine, as they recalled the freezing winter days and night when any prevailing east wind met them head-on in Church Street.

They were also grateful to the kindly shopkeeper, who used to provide a straw filled box, in which they could stand to keep their feet warm.

  • Our archives do not mention who this good-hearted Samaritan was, maybe you remember ?