A GROUP set to up to discuss a council's controversial traffic calming policy has met for the first time.

Hyndburn's traffic management review panel is set to hold a series of public meetings to discuss transport issues in the borough.

Conservative councillor Douglas Deakin, the panel chairman, believes traffic calming will form the bulk of the forum's work.

But issues such as road safety, public transport and a town centre one-way system will also be discussed.

The all-party panel was set up following the Tories' election victory to look at the council's "humps and bumps" policy which has been slammed as a waste of money and dangerous by some members and residents.

The review will take in proposed schemes and those that are already in place and recommendations will be passed to the environmental services committee.

Coun Deakin stressed the panel was independent and its remit was to draw up options for individual traffic calming schemes.

He said: "We don't make final decisions and it's not a political slanging match.

"The meetings are public and if anyone wants to come along they can put across their point of view.

"All we ask is that if people are coming in a group they elect a spokesman beforehand so we don't run out of time."

The next meeting of the panel will take place at the council's Eagle Street offices on Tuesday, August 17, starting at 7pm.

A public debate is also planned to take place at Accrington Town Hall in the autumn.

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