Great Harwood residents work to take down 'dangerous' sign

Cllr Colin McKenzie alongside Immy Hussain from the Barbers next to the takeaway and builder Gareth Lang worked together yesterday (Thursday) after Cllr McKenzie spotted the fallen down sign whilst undertaking a walkabout around town.

Having contacted all the authorities and only offered a slow response, Cllr McKenzie alongside kind hearted residents secured the sign and put it down on the floor to prevent danger and made it safe for walkers.

Cllr McKenzie said: "I was walking around the town, I have been going into local shops to raise money for charity for the Mayor's Ball and trying to get people to donate vouchers, and I just so happened to walk past the sign and it looked really dangerous.

"It was hanging over the pavement and it is quite a heavy sign, so I thought I better try and do something about it.

Back of the sign shows it was held up by a wire (Image: Great Harwood Labour)

"I contacted people in the council and it was a bit difficult for me to get through on my phone so I phoned the police and they said they were a bit short of resources, but would try and get somebody there soon.

"I ended up standing there for quite some time, around an hour and a half, just trying to direct people around it because it was just hanging by a wire.

"Fortunately, a local builder, Gareth Lang, came across from a nearby building site, Ribble Valley Builders, to help us and he was marvellous.

"He went and got some tools and then he, myself and Immy from the Barbers next door managed to put the sign on the floor and make it safe.

"I don't know if the sign has been put back up but it was really dangerous, if it had actually fallen it could have killed somebody."

Cllr McKenzie tried to contact the takeaway where the sign had fallen down but the shop was closed and he is uncertain when and if the sign will be replaced.