Cycle lane bid to improve safety for students and commuters
Plus: Triple road tragedy and owner of dirty restaurant prosecuted
Hello and welcome to the 77th edition of The Lancashire Lead.
Very often in local and regional news, you’ll read stories about “controversial” road changes and how motorists have been frustrated by the impacts of active travel scheme. Often this involves campaigns, protests or petitions demanding the council involved reverse its decision and maintain the "car is king” lifestyle which has been enabled by factors including poor public transport options.
The main story follows a similar topic - but instead on efforts to convince Lancashire County Council to add more safe cycling provision in Lancaster and the terrifying incidents which helped motivate the campaign.
There’s also news of a restaurant owner who has been prosecuted over the dirty state of their eatery where flies swarmed around and mouse droppings were found throughout.
The prosecution came via Wyre Council which was keen to share the news of its action - a side note on that is the same council is currently owes me an overdue response to a FOI request about another dirty premises. Watch this space for more on that.
Devolution disputes once again feature below with two of the three council leaders who signed the current agreement making very different interventions on the subject.
A quick note before we move on: The Lancashire Lead is entirely independent and uses a subscription model rather than replying on traditional revenue schemes. To access exclusive features and help enable original, investigative please consider taking a paid subscription.
And as we approach Christmas, don’t forget you can also gift a subscription to a friend or family member using this link.
“Make cycling safe again”
As Sophie Standen cycled along the A6 last year, she felt herself being targeted by a driver seemingly determined to knock her off her bike. After taking verbal abuse and managing to find refuge between parked cars, she was left shaken by the incident - but also determined to change things for the better.
Alongside others campaigners including lecturer Ivan Svetunkov, PHD student Matt Hanley and marketing coordinator Aleksandra Dabrowska, she is part of the the campaign group which wants to convince Lancashire County Council to add cycle lanes along the A6 between Lancaster University and the train station. A petition on the council’s website surpassed the 1,350 signature threshold needed for the authority to be compelled to reply and now the group is awaiting what that response will lead to.
Explaining how the campaign came about, Sophie told The Lancashire Lead:
“I used to cycle every day to Lancaster University campus but have had two quite scary experiences on the A6 which have shaken my confidence. Last year a driver swerved into me deliberately and almost hit me, while shouting at me after winding down his window.
“I was cycling alone, and thought he was going to run me over. Ironically the parked cars on the A6 protected me as I got between them. It happened again a few months ago where I almost got hit by an angry driver. I live on the A6 and so try to avoid it where I can, but it is difficult.”
The background of the Lancaster University Cycle Lane campaign is a quite simple desire - “to be able to cycle along the A6 road safely, without putting our lives or the lives of other road users at risk”.
For this, they hope to see the creation of a 1.5-meter-wide cycle lanes along the A6, stretching from Lancaster University campus to Lancaster Railway station, using bollards a curb to separate the lane from the other areas of the road.
Sophie admitted both incidents left her feeling terrified for her safety but also determined to see change enacted. Having had a very different experience of cycling abroad, she knows better options are possible.
“I used to live in Copenhagen where cycling infrastructure was built into the fabric of the city, and I think it's a shame that cycling is so polarising here in the UK. I think we should be thinking about how to tackle the climate crisis in our local areas and also create safer streets for vulnerable road users.
“Many many people travel along the A6 every day, including many commuter cyclists, and so I wanted to try and do my part for the environment and for vulnerable road users such as children, pedestrians, and cyclists.”
The matter is now in the hands of Lancashire County Council and the group have already acknowledged there may be a limited impact from the petition but hope it will at least be the first step towards safety improvements. The campaign points out there 13,000 students commuting between the campus and city centre regularly, with the A6 road “heavily trafficked, dirty, and unsafe for cyclists”
They also argue that Lancaster City Council's declaration of a climate emergency in 2019 and 2020 commits to reducing carbon emissions and that promoting cycling can significantly contribute to this goal.
Lancashire County Council was approached for comment but did not respond in time for publication.
You can find out more about the campaign here.
Triple tragedy in another deadly week an Lancashire’s roads
Some time ago, a police officer in Lancashire told me that while most people can expect to experience around three traumatic events in their life, those in the emergency services will encounter hundreds. Building such a resilience to witnessing so many fatalities and to be able to try and offer some comfort to so many grieving families must come with an enormous toll.
This is why whenever there are multiple deaths on the county’s roads in quick succession (which is far too frequent), my thoughts go who bravely respond to, investigate, and deal with the aftermath of those tragedies as well as those who lose their loved ones.
Unfortunately, a 50-hour period across Sunday and Monday was another of those times as three people lost their lives.
As reported in Sunday’s edition, a tree which fell during Storm Darragh landed on a van and killed the driver. That man has since been named as Paul Fiddler, a much admired man who was well known in the local football scene.
In a tribute, his former football team Lytham Town FC said:
“Today, we would like to take the time to remember a Lytham Town FC legend Paul Fiddler. A well loved Coach, Football Player, Gaffer but most of all a true Friend.
“Paul, thank you for everything mate. Our thoughts are with the Lytham Town lads, his friends and family at this time.
“Rest in Peace Paul. We will miss you”
A minute’s silence was held before each fixture in the West Lancashire League on Sunday, with league chairman Andy Hosker saying:
"Paul had been involved with the West Lancashire League with both Freckleton and Lytham Town for many, many years and I’m sure was known to many within the West Lancs family."
Anyone with any information or footage is asked to call 101 quoting log 0368 of December 7th or email the Serious Collision Investigation Unit at SCIU@lancashire.police.uk
Just one day later, tragedy struck again when teenager Patrick Sawicki died in a motorbike crash in Preston. Emergency services were called at 3:48pm when the 18-year-old crashed at Navigation Way. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
In a tribute, Patrick’s family said:
“Patrick Sawicki, a true force of nature, has completed his earthly journey and embarked on a new adventure beyond us, on Sunday 8th December 2024.
“At 18, Patrick lived more in his years than most could hope for in a lifetime. He leaves behind a tapestry of beautiful memories and stories that will continue to inspire his family and friends.
“Loved by so many, he touched all our hearts with his kindness and loyalty to his friends. Fierce protector of his friends against bullies and amazing brother to his siblings, he was one of a kind.
“Immensely passionate about Motorsports, cars, motorbikes or anything to do with mechanics he died doing what he loved most. He will be deeply missed by those who knew him.”
Anyone with any information or footage is asked to call 101 quoting log 773 of December 8th or email the Serious Collision Investigation Unit at SCIU@lancashire.police.uk
The following morning, another road death occurred in Darwen when a pensioner was hit by a lorry. The 70-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene having been hit on A666 Bolton road at around 10.45am.
Appealing for witnesses, Sgt Daniel Gunn of our Road Policing Unit, said:
“My thoughts at this very sad time are with the man’s family and loved ones. They are being supported by specially trained family liaison officers. The road was closed for several hours as we investigated what happened.
“As part of the investigation, we are appealing for witnesses to the collision and to anyone who has dashcam footage from the area around the time it happened.”
Anyone with any information or footage is asked to call 101 quoting log 0367 of December 9th or email the Serious Collision Investigation Unit at SCIU@lancashire.police.uk
Mouse droppings and flies found in dirty takeaway
When hygiene inspectors in Cleveleys visited Great Fortune House this August, a one star rating was awarded but that only told part of the story.
Among the grim discoveries at the Chinese takeaway were mouse droppings across various floors, work surfaces and equipment; swarms of flies; and several potentital pest entry points.
This was no doubt contributed to by the premises being greasy and dirty and by the food being covered with dirty cloths. Other issues which were as baffling as they were troubling include food being stored inside bin bags and plates underneath a fly killer.
Unsurprisingly, Wyre Council’s inspectors also found “there was a lack of effective monitoring and safe systems of work and staff were inadequately trained”.
The Victoria Rd West takeaway had a history of poor hygiene and a warning had previously been issued, with the issues this time significant enough to take the matter to court.
In August, manager Angela Lui, aka Angela Chang, pleaded guilty to eleven offences under Food Safety & Hygiene laws at Preston Magistrates Company. The company, Great Fortune House, was also due to face prosecution but was dissolved in the same month as that plea hearing.
In November, Lui returned to court for sentencing and received a 12 month community order with 180 hours of unpaid work. The 60-year-old, of Bramble Close, Wesham, was also ordered to pay more than £3,500 in costs and banned from managing any food establishment in the future.
Councillor Lynne Bowen, Portfolio Holder for Leisure, Health and Community Engagement said:
“Wyre Council takes food hygiene very seriously and if premises don’t comply, we have no qualms about taking action whenever and wherever necessary.
“I’d like to encourage members of the public to check food hygiene ratings before eating out or shopping for food. All food businesses such as restaurants, takeaways, shops or mobile food outlets across Wyre are visited and inspected by the council regularly.”
Rising energy costs are putting pressure on households across the county, making homes harder to heat and afford. That’s why Cosy Homes in Lancashire is helping thousands of residents access grants for home improvements—from better insulation to that new boiler you've been needing. With the support of 13 local councils, £80 million in funding has already been secured to make homes greener and more affordable. Is your home next? Apply today.
❌ The UK’s only fracking site has still not been plugged despite the deadline having now passed (BBC).
📋 Inspections on the roof areas of Preston’s Guild Hall have now been completed but RAAC assessments continue almost a year after it was first discovered (Blog Preston).
🦸 Bar staff helped to rescue a family from a burning flat when one spotted flames coming out of the building (Blackpool Gazette).
🤢 Women who had their sexual photos stolen by a pervert police officer have spoke of their horror at his actions. One was aged just 16 when he made copies of her naked photos (LancsLive).
🫶 Thousands of pounds have been raised after a man died and residents lost their homes in a fire in Kirkby Lonsdale (Beyond Radio).
🚨 Concerns have been raised over the death of a Lancashire man in police custody in Malaysia (MEN).
👩🏫 A Morecambe teaching assistant is retiring after almost half a century helping the town’s children (Lancaster Guardian).
There’s two bits of devolution for you in today’s newsletter. One is somewhat unsurprising as the leader of Lancashire County Council warns against proposals to abolish her council - and all of the others across the county - to create three or four larger ones and argues it could jeopardise the agreed devolution deal.
Perhaps more of a surprise is hearing the leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council give his support to the prospect of a Lancashire mayor. Cllr Phil Riley is among the signatures which signed the non-mayoral devolution deal.
By Bill Jacobs
The leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council has backed the creation of an elected Mayor for Lancashire and expressed the hope that it could help sort out the ‘utterly, utterly dreadful’ train services to the east of the county.
Cllr Phil Riley expressed his preference for the Greater Manchester-style post in his review of the municipal year to this month’s annual Policy Council of the authority. He told the meeting:
“We’re awaiting the announcement of the English devolution bill. That obviously includes conversations about how Lancashire can progress towards a Mayoral model.
“The reason why we want to do that is that the government have made it quite plain to us that, whilst we are all delighted we have managed to get the Level Two devolution deal for Lancashire County Council, Blackburn with Darwen and Blackpool, that if we want to go further – to get the kind of deal that is now routinely accepted in Manchester for example – we have to have a Mayor.
“That’s what the government are saying and we’ve got a choice. We may decide we don’t want to do that but on behalf of the residents of the borough that’s not what we’re going to say.
“One thing that I have a bit of a bee in my bonnet about is the appalling service that Northern provides to the residents of this borough. It’s utterly, utterly dreadful.
“I had a meeting with the new operations director who had the grace to admit that it was dreadful. They’ve got a couple of industrial disputes which absolutely do not help and in many respects until they’ve fixed those then the prognosis is not wonderful .
“Somebody sent me a picture last week of the board at Manchester Victoria on which all the trains coming to East Lancashire were cancelled.”
He continued:
“I go to Transport for the North. I represent Blackburn with Darwen. We’re an incredibly small fish in a pool that contains Manchester and Liverpool. Hopefully in the future myself or somebody will go and represent a rather bigger unit that Blackburn with Darwen,
“We will have a bigger voice. If you look at the progress that’s been made in the last couple of years by both Manchester and Liverpool it does suggest that the Mayoral model has got some value which is the reason why we are quite clear that supporting the move to a Mayor of Lancashire.
“You need a person who is going to beat the drum for Lancashire. If all things come to all, there will be an election for a Mayor of Lancashire maybe in 2026.”
By Paul Faulkner
The leader of Lancashire County Council has warned the government that the area’s long-awaited devolution deal could be derailed if it becomes embroiled in a local authority shake-up.
Phillippa Williamson has urged ministers to honour a timeline agreed “in good faith” less than three months ago – and give Lancashire until next autumn to draw up proposals to deepen the agreement.
It comes after a push by the majority of Lancashire’s Labour MPs last month to rapidly accelerate that process – and peg it to a plan to slash the number of councils in the county from the current 15 to just three or four.
The parliamentarians called on the government to give an answer before the end of the year as to whether it would agree to introduce an Andy Burnham-style elected mayor by 2027 and enact the suggested council cull within the next 18 months.
The MPs’ move – which they say would deliver a more “ambitious” devolution deal, with greater powers and extra cash – has triggered a series of political manoeuvres in anticipation of a town hall overhaul across the county.
It is against the backdrop of the flux unleashed following the MPs’ intervention that County Cllr Williamson has now added to the growing number of letters with a Lancashire postmark that have landed on the desk of local government minister Jim McMahon.
In correspondence seen by the LDRS, the Conservative county council leader – one of the three signatories to the devolution deal, along with her Labour opposite numbers at Blackpool and Blackburn with Darwen councils – said she was conscious of the “numerous and varied discussions taking place locally and nationally on local government reorganisation”.
Referencing the government’s own imminent white paper on English devolution – which is expected to set out its stance on the future of the two-tier system in places like Lancashire – County Cllr Williamson said she was anxious that such conversations ”may divert us from the agreed necessary and intended next steps in our devolution journey”.
That involves the formal establishment of a new Lancashire Combined County Authority (LCCA) early in the new year to oversee the powers being devolved from the government.
She warned that so-called “unitarisation” – the creation of a smaller number of standalone local authorities to replace the county and district council model that exists across most of Lancashire – would be “vastly complex”, because of the diverse nature of the county.
“Consensus will not be generated quickly – if at all – and vital relationships and our shared vision for growth, enhanced through the establishment of the LCCA, will be adversely impacted by piecemeal discussions about local authority boundaries.”
She added:
“Our commitment has been to build on our current progress and work with central government, local authorities and businesses to develop ambitious plans for future devolved powers and associated governance arrangements.
“It was agreed, in good faith, to present these proposals for your consideration, sequenced as requested, by the autumn of 2025 and remain on track to do so. We fear however, that this timeline and the associated benefits of deeper and wider devolution will be at risk if the White Paper makes devolution dependent on concurrent unitarisation.
“We also fear this is causing confusion in the minds of the public, businesses and stakeholders who so far have been supportive of our devolution ambitions.”
The letter – which has not been signed by the county council’s devolution partners in Blackpool and Blackburn – suggests the debate about reorganisation should be saved until after the development of the blueprint for a deeper deal late next year.
In both scenarios, local councils will continue to exist after the LCCA – which is currently operating in shadow form – comes into being next year. The only question is whether the current 15 – comprising the county council, 12 districts and two standalone authorities in Blackpool and Blackburn – remain in place or are abolished to make way for a handful of new councils covering huge swathes of Lancashire.
Thank you for reading the 77th edition of The Lancashire Lead. If you enjoyed reading and would like to support my work, please consider taking a paid subscription using this link. I’ll be back with the next edition of Sunday.
