Focus on making the M65 Safe.
With a large spate of accidents on the M65, including 2 fatalities, the Liberal Democrats are calling for better lighting and flood defences on the Motorway!
With the recent spate of major incidents on the M65, which has included two fatalities, and a huge problem with flooding due to defective drainage, you would expect the Highways Agency and Lancashire County Council to be reviewing safety on the motorway to improve conditions. However, they are now considering removing the remaining lights on the motorway, which will make matters worse.
Pendle Council will consider a Liberal Democrat motion to be moved by Councillor Brian Newman and seconded by Councillor Mick
Strickland, instructing officers to write to National Highways, Lancashire County Council, the Secretary of State for Transport, and the local MPs to sort out this dangerous stretch of motorway.
Councillor Brian Newman asked “How many more accidents need to happen, how many more lives need to be lost, before the County Council and the Government act to make this stretch of motorway safe?"
The motion noted that flooding is a significant safety concern, particularly on the LCC maintained section through Pendle, and request that Lancashire County Council takes effective action to mitigate the risk to road users from the frequent flooding of the M65. It also noted that Highways England are considering the removal of all remaining lighting on the M65.
The motion also requested an urgent review of the general safety of the M65 given the frequency of accidents, with a view to assessing this stretch of motorway for safety improvements, including but not limited to the need for lighting, with the aim of enhancing road safety, reducing accident risks and ensuring the wellbeing of all road users.
The motion that also instructed council officers to reject any proposal that removes any of the remaining lighting on the M65, and request that funding be provided to conduct a feasibility study and secure investment to bring back lighting to sections of the M65 where it has been removed, to improve safety and reduce the risk of accidents.
Councillor Newman added, "Labour and Conservative Councillors on Lancashire county council were complicit in creating the problem when they removed the lighting. We need County Councillors representing the interests of Pendle, campaigning to sort out this mess!”