Parish News

Just over one year ago the Parish Council started lobbying Lancashire County Council to resolve the congestion on Cross Lane above the Village Hall that occurred when visitors parked on both sides of the road restricting traffic on the road to single file causing congestion and difficult access for larger vehicles.

LCC proposed installing double yellow lines from the village hall up to the bend just above the entrance to Heys Lane on the village hall side. They have chosen this side for safety reasons including the blind bend on the approach into Barley and because there is a footpath on the other side providing a degree of safety for those getting into or out of vehicles. Parking on the village hall side, where there is only a grass verge, is not as safe.

After forty e-mail exchanges with LCC the parking enforcement was eventually confirmed and installed on 18 February but ironically the lines could not be completed as three cars prevented roadside access. At the time of writing, we are waiting for completion.

As reported previously, the car park toilet block improvements are almost complete with just some masonry pointing and painting outstanding. I know that few residents use the facility, but the car park is the main source of income for the PC and so providing a clean, safe and functional facility is important. We hope to replace the two old doors on the building later this year meaning the exterior of the building will look well maintained and attractive. For information, when the forecast is for an inclement day, we will only be opening the Ladies toilet, as a mixed sex toilet, knowing that visitor numbers will be very low so saving on cleaning and water, and the Gents toilet being soaked by driving rain.

The Council is grateful for a grant donation from Pendle BC of £2.5k towards our most expensive project to date.

You will be aware that the Cabin was also closed in January undergoing an electrical refurbishment. The Cabin is also planning a new roof for their building this year and it is likely to use the same roof tiles as the toilet block. Together we are improving facilities on the car park for all.

Planning Matters – The proposal at Whitehough Grange for the conversion of a stable block to form 1 no. dwelling. (25/0682/FUL) was refused by Pendle BC. The Parish Council had been neutral on the application because we could not fully comprehend the developer’s intention; we raised queries but received no response. The refusal seemed to resonate with a previously refused application to build five properties on Whitehough Grange land in 2022; focusing on restricted access over the bridge which has limited weight capacity and the unacceptable impact on highway safety.

In case you have not heard, the Barden Lane canal bridge will be closed by Lancs CC from 16 February until 23 March or until completion of the works. For us, this means a diversion through Brierfield if going to Burnley, I suggest you avoid at peak travel times.

Clayton Harriers will be holding a major Fell Race on Saturday 7 March starting from the Village Hall.