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Lib-Dems speak out over 20mph 'blunder'
West Craven Liberal Democrats claim a "laughable" Labour blunder has raised safety concerns over the operation of a Barnoldswick bus service.
This week, residents in the town's Coates Ward received a leaflet from the Labour Party featuring their candidate, Colne bus driver Ian Tweedie, making a plea for a 20mph speed limit near Coates Lane school.
However, the area has been a 20mph zone for five years - prompting the Liberal Democrats to question Mr Tweedie's driving abilities.
But speaking to the Herald this week, Mr Tweedie stood by his comments. He said it was the Lib Dems who had made the blunder by signposting the limit so poorly that none of his passengers were aware it existed.
He also said his comments were referring to the road immediately outside the primary school, where there is nothing to remind drivers of the speed restriction in force, and added that he saw so many drivers speeding past Coates Lane that the 20-zone was having no effect.
Mr Tweedie's election leaflet mentions that he drives the local town bus service and includes a picture of him wearing a company tie.
An article on the front page quotes him saying: "The area near Coates Lane Primary School should have a 20mph speed limit. At very least a 20mph limit along Kirkstall Drive."
The flyer also adds: "Lib Dem Councillors have failed numerous requests from Coates residents for such a speed limit" and says that voting for Mr Tweedie "will make Coates a safer place for children and the elderly".
However, Liberal councillors pointed out that such a limit had been in place on all the roads surrounding the school for five years and sent out a picture of two councillors posing with 20mph signs in 2002.
"This is a laughable Labour blunder," said Coun David Whipp. "But it calls into question the driving skills and safety standards of Mr Tweedie as a bus driver.
"How can he drive that route in ignorance of the limit in force on the road?
"Mr Tweedie is exposing his complete lack of knowledge of Barnoldswick matters. He's no chance of being elected.
"If he's going to carry on with his day job I hope he begins to pay more attention. Liberal councillors achieved a 20mph limit for the area years ago."
Coun Whipp added: "Also, we are currently campaigning to get 20mph limits in all residential areas, but this is being blocked by Labour bosses at county hall."
However, this week, Mr Tweedie said he had family on St Mary's Avenue and locals were as oblivious to the speed limit as he was.
He said: "I think the blunder is on behalf of the Lib Dem Party because there's hardly any street furniture or signs up to say it's a 20mph zone. How are people supposed to know?
"I've witnessed cars speeding around there and the only reason they've slowed down is because they've come into contact with my bus."
Mr Tweedie added: "If it takes them so long to put signs up then it's no wonder the current administration is in the state it's in."
And the leader of the Labour group on Pendle Borough Council, Coun Mohammed Iqbal, said that other bus drivers were unaware of the limit.
He said: "Ian was talking about outside the school where there is no 20mph signage - and where it's most needed. Perhaps county councillor Whipp could get on with dealing with that instead of taking credit for a zone that clearly isn't working.
"As I understand it there are only two signs at the boundaries of the estate and one of those has been turned around.
Coun Whipp is attempting to smear Ian's name while he is obviously not justifying his £40,000 a year allowances."
8:00am Friday 27th April 2007
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CommentPosted by: burger, barlick coates est on 10:57pm Fri 27 Apr 07
is this the same driver who drops off and picks up on yellow zig zags outside the school and pulls out without looking and speeds himself i ve been on the bus never again think before you put your mouth in gear mr bus driver i think you will find most people know its a 20mph the ones that dont know dont want to know or are young and think they are nigel mansall.what a poor driver if he cant find any signs saying 20mph comming onto coates.and how is someone from colne got the best intrests of coates voters you should at least live in barlick if not live in coates ward.
is this the same driver who drops off and picks up on yellow zig zags outside the school and pulls out without looking and speeds himself i ve been on the bus never again think before you put your mouth in gear mr bus driver i think you will find most people know its a 20mph the ones that dont know dont want to know or are young and think they are nigel mansall.what a poor driver if he cant find any signs saying 20mph comming onto coates.and how is someone from colne got the best intrests of coates voters you should at least live in barlick if not live in coates ward.
Posted by: burger, barlick on 3:46pm Sun 6 May 07
yes this man polled 138 votes i did not know there was that many idiots in barlick this is the party that got rid of your fire engine and has put your lives at risk.at least most people did not vote labour well done to them
yes this man polled 138 votes i did not know there was that many idiots in barlick this is the party that got rid of your fire engine and has put your lives at risk.at least most people did not vote labour well done to them
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