High Peak Liberal Democrats

Long Eaton Green Safety Improvements – “Let’s Get it Right” Say Lib Dems

Erewash Liberal Democrats have given a cautious welcome to the announcement by Norman Baker, Liberal Democrat Under-Secretary of State for Transport, that the Coalition Government has allocated £400,000 to improve cycle safety at Long Eaton Green and to provide improved cycle lanes along Derby Road.

Local party Chair Martin Garnett said "New money for safer cycling is excellent news. The Green is a particularly difficult area for cyclists, but I will await sight of the plans to see if they really will be convenient for cyclists as well as safer.

"Encouraging us to take our bikes into town will improve our fitness, reduce congestion around the town and reduce pollution", continued Martin." However, hard engineering is insufficient on its own. We also need better training for cyclists and better awareness of cyclists by other road users, to really make cycling safer".

The Liberal Democrats are placing great emphasis on Long Eaton's traffic problems in their Derbyshire County Council Election campaign which got into full swing this week.

"Long Eaton suffers from many traffic hot spots, with Derby Road being amongst the worst, especially at the Green and near Trent College" said Ian Neill, Liberal Democrat candidate for the Petersham Division.

However, the party has also issued a warning to the planners. "For all its traffic problems, the Green is an iconic feature of Long Eaton and an attractive focal point" continued Ian Neill. "It is in the Conservation Area and any development should be made in a sympathetic manner, incorporating modern traffic control methods but retaining the heritage and character of the town. We strongly welcome the investment, but we urge Derbyshire County Council to engage in proper consultations with residents. People might not welcome the changes if they resulted in the destruction of the island at the Green."

Lib Dem activist Jane Oseman (pictured), who frequently cycles into the town centre, also welcomed the funding and hit out at the existing provision for cycle lanes and cycle parking in the town. "These lanes are often a disgrace. The road surface is often uneven, lanes frequently end at the most dangerous point in the road and they are often blocked by parked cars and vans. A small minority of road users also ignore the cycle lanes, particularly around Trent College. A cycle journey along Derby Road can be a heart-stopping roller coaster ride, being shaken to the bones by the rough surface, having to swerve into the traffic to avoid parked cars and then having to face the hazards of the Green".

"And if you make it safely into the town centre, there aren't enough places to lock up your bike and go shopping!" added Jane, "So, whilst I am delighted that this money has been made available, I want the Council to consult residents properly to improve traffic conditions at the Green without damaging a key feature of the town's heritage".

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