History and current position?

Residents have complained to councils, councillors, and police for several years about this issue. As of September 2026 Lancashire County Council (LCC), who has responsibility for the roads and road use, have said:

• They feel they are following current traffic regulations on signage and are not going to add additional signs, and...

• They feel they do not have the resources to police this area and behaviour and instead feel it is down to local residents to report this to the local police, Trading Standards, and the Traffic Commissioner

Who can do something?

It is important to understand that:

• South Ribble Borough Council (SRBC) has no power here, so SRBC Councillors have a very limited ability to address these concerns.

• It is down to LCC to address the concerns of local residents on highway issues, going via their LCC Councillor.

• As LCC say, they feel that the local Police and Trading Standards and even the Traffic Commissioner have a part to play is catching illegal use and punishing it.

• But LCC are delightfully vague on the actual monitoring that occurs before the catching and punishing part, so what can be done in those areas? 

• Therefore, I can only see this being achieved by residents.

What can you do?

• Get Organised. Neighbours along the road need to join up and agree to a campaign of monitoring. Use Whatsapp or Signal to communicate when a lorry that is over the limit enters Withy Trees Ave from either the Station Road or Brindle Road ends (or Poplar Avenue in the middle). Use cameras to prove the lorry was cutting through rather than having a legitimate access need. Report every incident to the local Police, local Trading Standards, and the Traffic Commissioner just as LCC advises. Keep a detailed log and store of evidence.

• Get Involved. Keep the LCC Councillor informed all all incidents and reports. Start going to LCC council meetings (or watching them online). Write questions to LCC Councillor in charge of Highways.

• Get Publicised. Get on Facebook and NextDoor. Let the local press know what you are doing. Keep the press up to date with developments. Plan eye-catching publicity stunts (making sure everyone is safe). Place banners on fences telling drivers this is not a shortcut and use is being monitored (make sure you have the fence owners' permission).

• Get Heard. Email the companies in the area and ask them to sign up to a promise that their drivers will not use Withy Trees Ave as a shortcut. Write to businesses in Brig and ask them to check if the delivery drivers that visit them know not to use Withy Trees Ave as a shortcut.

• Get Changes. If you think the law needs to be changed, then you need to write to your MP. Let them know about the issue and the campaign and explain what you think needs to change in the law via legislation. Your MP can support your cause, but their real use is getting the laws changed. SRBC and LCC councillors can't do that - use the correct tool for the job!

Useful Links. I keep a list of useful links and advice on my Community Tools page here: Tools to improve your Community 

Solidarity!

#BamberBridge #LocalCampaign #GettingThingsDone #CommunitySupport #CommunityAction #CommunityPride #CommunityLove #LoveWhereYouLive #LoveBrig

I hope this page helps. If you have any feedback or updates, please email me on davidwbollenberg@gmail.com 

Page last updated 06/10/2026