I READ your article "Traffic plans to become reality" (LET, July 12) four times, before I could even begin to understand the reverse logic that our council is now starting to apply to the traffic management problems within Blackburn and Darwen. The problems are not caused by the council's inability to construct adequate roads to accommodate the increase in traffic, but by. . .yes, the motorist!
Apparently, there would be no traffic problems in and around our town centre if motorists stopped using the roads. It's so simple. I don't know why we didn't realise it sooner and save ourselves a lot of money!
They permit a motorway to be built, with access to the town via an exit at Whitebirk which is clearly marked "Blackburn A678" and then "Town Centre A678" and "Ewood Park," all directing you down Burnley Road, and when motorists follow these directions, the council say they are using it as a "rat run."
We are now expected to accept that the only reason the link road between Whitebirk and Bottomgate wasn't constructed, is because "the building of a dual carriageway link is not an option. Such a scheme would reduce the traffic on Burnley Road, which would lead to cars increasing their speed and would lead to traffic calming anyway."
I have never heard such claptrap in all my life! Where is traffic supposed to go from Whitebirk to access the town? If the council didn't want vehicles to use Burnley Road, they should not have allowed an exit from the M65 at Whitebirk in the first place, not condemn the motorist for using it!
I really do despair at those in authority, making these ridiculous statements and expecting the public to accept them. The problem is apparently going to be solved by a pelican crossing and chicanes with pretty pink tarmac around them. So more public money is again going to be wasted on yet another short-term project.
RON CRANE, Walden Road, Blackburn.
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