Moss road horse protest looming

Residents and horse riders on Midgeland Road and Division Lane in the Marton Moss area of Blackpool are furious that road closures have meant a huge increase in traffic down their narrow lanes and claim that it is only a matter of time before a serious accident occurs.
Residents (including spokeswoman Anne Sergeant third left) on Midgeland Road next to a police sign. PIC BY ROB LOCK
5-2-2014 — Residents and horse riders on Midgeland Road and Division Lane in the Marton Moss area of Blackpool are furious that road closures have meant a huge increase in traffic down their narrow lanes and claim that it is only a matter of time before a serious accident occurs. Residents (including spokeswoman Anne Sergeant third left) on Midgeland Road next to a police sign. PIC BY ROB LOCK 5-2-2014

Earlier this month, members of the Blackpool Moss Horseriders Road Safety Group met to discuss plans for a charity walk between Midgeland Road in Marton and Wildings Lane in Westby.

The group has been angered by the attitude of motorists as hundreds of drivers cut through North Houses Lane and Division Lane everyday in a bid to save time on rush-hour journeys. The route is close to a route used by many riding schools.

Anne Sergeant, who lives in Midgeland Road, is hoping to organise the walk after a spate of incidents, including a girl on a pony being knocked over and horseriders being threatened by drivers.

She said discussions with authorities to close the route are ongoing and between 80 and 100 horseriders could take part in the march.

She said: “There has been a series of accidents – it is just so dangerous.

“With the amount of houses there it was not on.

“We are currently liaising with Blackpool Council and the police to organise a road closure and the costs involved in doing this.

“We want to do a charity walk, supporting World Horse Welfare at Penny Farm in Blackpool.”

Wild Lane was closed to motorists in August after two accidents were reported to police.

It was set to re-open this month, but remains shut as Lancashire County Council said it would not fund the £350,000 bill to fix the route.

Ward councillor Alan Stansfield said he understood the frustrations of residents, but was not sure a blockade was the answer.

He added: “We have looked at various things including police notices and traffic calming measures but up to now we have not come up with anything financially viable.

“In terms of a blockade, I believe there’s other ways of dealing with the issue.

“We are still looking at a complete solution to it.”

But Mrs Sergeant said a road closure should be investigated immediately.

She added: “The road is dangerous.

“It really needs closing.

“A date has yet to be confirmed for the walk, but we are hoping it will be sooner rather than later.”