Case scrapped in crossing dispute

Fylde Council said it has received assurances the crossing, on Fleetwood Road, Wesham, will be built “within weeks”.

Safety campaigners have said children frequently have to cross the busy road and, until the work is complete, lives are being put at risk.

When Taylor Wimpey built a 106-home Crossing Gates development, a planning condition imposed by the council meant they also had to pay for a new crossing.

But after an enforcement notice served more than a year ago failed to get the developers to take action, Fylde Council started legal proceedings.

A council spokesman said: “There has been a long-running dispute with the developer.

“We are very pleased that we have finally reached an agreement.”

Coun Alan Clayton said he was delighted the work would finally be going ahead.

He said: “This is something that is absolutely essential for the safety of the children on the estate.

“Myself and Coun Linda Nulty have been pushing for this to be completed.

“So many residents have asked me when this is going to happen – they have had to wait such a long time.”

Wainhomes Ltd, a subsidiary of Taylor Wimpey, was named in the court case, accused of breaching planning laws.

But, Clare Holmes, prosecuting for Fylde Council, had her application to formally withdraw the case against the company approved by magistrates.

She said work on the pedestrian crossing was expected to start mid-November and take approximately four weeks to complete.

The council spokesman said: “The developers have now agreed to provide the pedestrian crossing.

“We are satisfied that they will build it within weeks and we will be very pleased to see the work completed.”

“Our case is it was always part of the agreement.

“Developers have to adhere to planning agreements.

“Legal action is always a last resort – there are always easier, cheaper and simpler alternatives – but planning conditions are there for a reason.”

A spokesman for Taylor Wimpey said: “Last week, Taylor Wimpey paid the required financial contribution to Lancashire County Council to enable them to procure the completion of the pedestrian crossing at our Crossing Gates development in Wesham.”

The company declined to comment when asked why the money had not been provided sooner.

A Lancashire County Council spokesman confirmed the money has been received and work is due to begin in the next three or four weeks.

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