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9 October 2019
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Vol 26 l Issue 41
116 Sandy Lane, Skelmersdale WN8 8LQ Open Mon-Sat 9am-5pm
Hospital trust looking to recruit nurses
INSIDE THIS WEEK:
Cathedral choir to sing at parish church
CALL FOR ‘TASK FORCE’ TO TACKLE PARKING AND TRAFFIC CHAOS
LEADER of West Lancs Council, Councillor Ian Moran is calling for the creation of a multiagency ‘task force’ to tackle the parking and traffic issues in Ormskirk associated with Edge Hill University. The move comes after independent group Our West Lancashire tabled a motion for next week’s full council meeting for the authorities to seek a long-term solution to the problem which they say is “extensive and often dangerous and illegal.” The Champion has been contacted by residents concerned about pedestrian safety and roads being blocked to emergency vehicles due to what they claim is dangerous parking by students. Sergeant Billy Matthews from Lancashire Police has also confirmed that officers have been issuing fixed penalties to those parking illegally in the town - despite pointing out that it is NOT illegal to park halfway on the pavement The borough council says that as highways and parking are the responsibility of Lancashire County Council and Lancashire Constabulary, it has little power to address the situation. But it is seeking to bring the partners together to find a solution that can be implemented in the short term while also alleviating issues in the long term. Planning portfolio holder, Councillor Dave Evans, said. “Prosecuting is not the answer - nobody wants
Report by Kenny Parker
students at the start of their university life to be paying out fines for parking their cars and not wanting to be late for lectures or tutorials at the start of the academic year. “But on the other side of the equation we have the inconvenience and severe disruption caused by the poor parking habits of some - causing an obstruction to pedestrians including those with prams, in wheelchairs or using walking aids. “Having observed at first hand and through the experience of the public transport systems I can understand why students choose the less ecofriendly option of the car, but we need to address those issues. “We need to consider further developments such as improving the trains to and from Preston, improved bus services to and from St Helens and other areas, and look at the implementation of safer cycling routes around Ormskirk particularly to and from the university.” Our West Lancashire say they have promoted park-and-ride as a possible option and have called on Edge Hill to drop its opposition to considering multi-storey car parking on campus.
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Parking on the grass verge in St Helens Road, outside Edge Hill University. (Photo supplied by Our West Lancashire.)
Calling on the authorities to act, the party’s motion reads: ‘This council notes with concern the extensive and often dangerous and illegal on-street car parking at certain times of the year in parts of Ormskirk resulting from the operation of Edge Hill University.’
Meanwhile Sgt. Matthews said: “I agree that parking is a real issue considering the size that the university has expanded to. We do have this initial problem for the first couple of months and by November it does ease due to students going on work placements. Continued inside
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