Safety concerns over works on Forton bus stops

Monday, 22 January 2024 12:36

Calls have been made for work on two bus stops on the A6 at Forton to be speeded up amid safety concerns.

The stops at the A6 end of School Lane are being upgraded, with work not expected to finish until sometime in March.

Bus users have to cross the A6, walk down a path, and then cross back to access a stop further along the road.

Cat Smith, Lancaster MP, has written to Lancashire County Council, asking for the work to be done more quickly.

‘’I was alarmed to hear about the unannounced six-week planned closure of the bus stops at the A6 end of School Lane, for them to be upgraded,’’ she said.

‘’This has been an incredibly frustrating for passengers, including for children getting to and from school, older residents trying to do their regular shopping, and for MOTO staff, turning up to the bus stop only to find out that it is closed.

‘’The only option for passengers has been to cross the A6, walk down a very narrow and overgrown path, to then cross the A6 again and wait for the next bus having missed the first.

‘’I have seen a County Council update stating that it is likely to be this way until March! I can’t quite believe that there is a completion date of six weeks or more for two bus stops, especially given the alternatives include asking residents to walk along grassy verges of the A6 in the current icy weather conditions and dark winter season.’’

Above: One of the bus stops being upgraded

Ms Smith also used the opportunity to call for further safety measures to be introduced around the area.

‘’I have also repeatedly said that this stretch of the A6 needs to be a 30mph road with “Welcome to Forton, please drive carefully” signs as it cuts through the middle of the village,’’ she said.

‘’There are # more than a dozen primary school children crossing it every day, and with the Hollins Lane side of the village also having amenities like the post office, Scouts hut, and other vital services which all residents need.

‘’Although I welcomed the success in getting the developer of nearby new homes to install a traffic island, it’s now time to give serious consideration to these road safety measures to prevent fatalities.’’

In response, Lancashire County Council said: ‘’The bus stops have been temporarily closed to enable works to take place to upgrade both stops.

‘’The works are due to complete early March 2024 following which, the stops will be opened. I understand that the plans include relocation of the bus stop on the School Lane side to make this stop safer to access.

‘’Unfortunately, when closing the stops our inspectors were unable to identify a suitable location away from the proposed work area, which would allow us to site temporary stops. We will continue to consider the site to see if we could safely install temporary stops, unfortunately the narrow pavements and hedgerows limit our options for their relocation. In the meantime, we would ask that passengers use the stops either side of the School Lane bus stops. (Holly Bank & the Pennine Garage).

‘’I understand that the Parish Council have raised concerns about the lack of prior warning. I do apologise for the difficulties the closures may cause to passengers. The works are being undertaken by an external contractor and I would have hoped they would have placed advance warning notices of their closure on the stops.

‘’As the service operator, Stagecoach should have placed notices on the stop indicating the locations of the nearest alternative bus stops. I am sorry if neither happened.

‘’The works will be completed, and the stops reopened as soon as possible, and I would ask for passengers' understanding and patience in this matter."

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