In a passionate address during a special adjournment debate he convened in the House of Commons, MP Mr. MacNae brought urgent attention to the most pressing issue facing his constituents in Rossendale and Darwen: road safety. With a sense of determination, he articulated the need for a significant overhaul of the current approach to road safety, which he described as desperately needed. Mr. MacNae lamented the tendency to respond to road safety concerns reactively, addressing issues only after tragic collisions occur rather than adopting proactive measures aimed at preventing them in the first place.
The debate crystallized around two specific areas of concern—speeding and the hazards associated with large commercial vehicles. Mr. MacNae earnestly reflected on the unique geographical layout of Rossendale and Darwen, which is characterized by winding A roads carving through valleys with very few alternative routes. This layout, he explained, presents distinctive challenges for both residents and drivers, with the reliance on these busy roads resulting in a heightened risk of accidents and incidents. As a resident of Bacup himself, living off Burnley Road, Mr. MacNae drew from personal experiences that mirrored the fears and frustrations faced by his constituents.
The testimony of those living on Burnley Road served as a poignant example of the local concerns. “Ask anyone who lives on Burnley Road and they will tell you that speeding is endemic,” he stated emphatically. The grim statistics of serious injuries and fatalities highlighted an alarming reality; however, it was the everyday experiences of local residents that truly illustrated the urgency of the matter. Many residents recounted stories of close calls, where speeding vehicles came perilously close to causing accidents. For instance, Mr. MacNae brought to light the distressing account of one house situated on a bend of the road that had been struck by speeding vehicles not once, but three times. In one harrowing incident, a vehicle crashed into a location only moments after a pedestrian had vacated the area—a near miss that underscored the ever-present danger on the roads.
The risks associated with speeding were further compounded by the presence of large commercial vehicles. Mr. MacNae described Burnley Road as heavily trafficked by these trucks, which posed additional hazards, especially in the vicinity of local primary schools. This often manifested in alarming situations wherein parents hesitated to allow their children to walk to school, fearing for their safety in an environment rife with risks. “Last year, two big wagons managed to crash into each other just outside the school,” Mr. MacNae recounted, underscoring the very real dangers faced by families navigating this landscape. The narrow pavements and the absence of safe crossing areas exacerbated already precarious conditions, highlighting the increasing reluctance among parents to permit their children to walk short distances to school.
The challenges faced by residents were not confined to just one road; Mr. MacNae was quick to emphasize that similar issues could be found throughout the constituency, including significant roads such as Todmorden Road, Burnley Road East through Whitewell Bottom, Market Street in Whitworth, Bury Road in Edenfield, Newchurch Road in Waterfoot, and others including Bolton Road, Sunnyhurst Lane, Hollins Grove, and Pole Lane in Darwen. Each area told its own story of daily near misses and accidents, yet residents often found their concerns dismissed. Mr. MacNae expressed frustration at encountering a cycle in which local residents would report these hazards only to be met with statistics that failed to indicate a pressing need for action. Even when data revealed dangers, the common refrain was that local authorities simply lacked the funds to respond effectively. This situation, he argued, was utterly nonsensical and hazardously complacent.
He also passionately highlighted the plight of older residents living in social housing along Newchurch Road in Rossendale, many of whom had expressed feelings of entrapment within their community due to the risks associated with crossing busy roads. The poignancy of their predicament was evident, as Mr. MacNae argued that a lack of safe crossing opportunities exacerbated social isolation and instilled a fear that hindered mobility and independence.
To address these pressing issues, Mr. MacNae urged for a transformative shift in how road safety is approached. He called for a more proactive and community-sensitive strategy, one that recognized the realities of local risks rather than waiting for further tragedies to drive action. He advocated for a comprehensive, community-led initiative that would prioritize identifying high-risk areas and intervene before accidents occurred. “If we want to be serious about tackling this issue, we must move towards a truly proactive, community-led approach,” he asserted passionately—his voice rising in urgency. “Instead of waiting around until enough people have been hurt to merit an intervention, we proactively identify high-risk areas, and we act.” In his view, this should not merely be the aspiration but the standard practice, ensuring local roads are safe for residents who utilize them daily.
In response to Mr. MacNae’s compelling narrative, Junior Transport Minister Lilian Greenwood expressed agreement with his observations. “You made a number of really important points,” she acknowledged, making it clear that the Ministry would take time to consider the concerns he had raised thoughtfully. Greenwood further indicated that officials within her department would collaborate to understand the complexities surrounding road safety in Rossendale and Darwen more thoroughly as they continued their work in this critical area.
The debate resonated not only within the chamber but throughout the constituency, as Mr. MacNae’s words encapsulated the sentiments of countless residents who felt their concerns had long been neglected. The acknowledgement from Greenwood offered a glimmer of hope, suggesting that perhaps the long-awaited changes to road safety measures might be on the horizon. Yet, there is a palpable understanding that for change to be lasting and impactful, it must be rooted in a deeply collaborative effort involving local residents, lawmakers, and officials alike.
The call for action from Mr. MacNae represents a pivotal moment for the community—an opportunity to redefine how road safety is prioritized and addressed. Rather than living in fear and uncertainty, residents of Rossendale and Darwen could look forward to a brighter future if proactive steps are taken to ensure their roads are safer for everyone. The urgency of the matter accentuated the shared belief that road safety transcends individual stories; it is about preserving lives, fostering community well-being, and ensuring that no one else falls victim to the failures of a reactive system.
As the conversation around road safety progresses, the hope remains that this debate will catalyze meaningful changes, ultimately leading to safer streets for children walking to school, older residents accessing their communities, and all residents navigating their daily lives. Only time will tell if the voices of Rossendale and Darwen have been heard effectively in the corridors of power, but for now, the resolve displayed by Mr. MacNae shines a light on the importance of prioritizing safety and taking action before it is too late. The community waits with bated breath for the changes that could affect their road safety for years to come, hopeful that their stories will shape a proactive future for road safety in the region.