WE have noted the complaints (LET, May 1) concerning the new traffic management scheme in Duckworth Street, Darwen.

As the three local councillors, we were consulted on the scheme before its introduction. While we had reservations about some parts, we supported its introduction.

There have been 27 pedestrians injured in accidents along this section of road in the last five years. There have also been two deaths.

A major cause of these accidents has been the difficulties faced by pedestrians in crossing two lanes of fast-moving traffic. The main aim of the scheme is to tackle this problem.

Two of us are car drivers who regularly use this stretch of road. We are, therefore, well aware that the new scheme causes some inconvenience to drivers, especially at busy times.

But we take the view that the inconvenience to drivers is less important than reducing the maiming and killing of pedestrians.

COUNCILLORS DAVE HOLLINGS, SUE REID and DAVE SMITH, Sunnyhurst Ward, Darwen.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.