THE number of petitions pressing the council to introduce traffic calming measures is at odds with opinions being expressed in letters to local newspapers, says a Hyndburn councillor.

Coun Bill Goldsmith spoke out as councillors received a request from all 31 residents in Marlowe Avenue, Baxenden, calling for road humps on Marlowe Avenue and Shelley Drive.

Coun Goldsmith said: "We are seeing a barrage of attacks from certain people in the letters columns, yet we still have petitions coming in requesting us to put these traffic humps in."

Environmental services committee chairman Coun Len Dickinson added: "We keeping getting comments in the local press from the professional letter writers but these items on the agenda speak for themselves.

"These are requests that have come from the public, virtually hundreds of signatures, week in and week out, asking for this kind of measure to be provided by the authority."

Coun Cath Thom said: "The papers don't wish to print what people are asking for, only what people don't want."

Marlowe Avenue residents say traffic is using Marlowe Avenue and Shelley Drive to avoid two road humps in Southwood Drive, and some cars are travelling at speeds in excess of 40mph.

Councillors agreed that a survey should be carried out into the speed and volume of traffic using the route so that a scheme can be considered for inclusion in the next annual traffic calming programme.

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