[g jones]

The current policy was arrived at through compromise and I am still not satisfied with the way the debate occurred. However bus users (who attended), bus companies, LCC, highways, HBC, transport specialists have all agreed on Crawshaw Street so how an agreement can be rolled back or where it will take us other than a non-agreement.

For thread catch up, I lament the white elephant Wilkinsons which has caused this problem (and which I was stridently against) and my choice was not Crawshaw Street. I accept the criticisms being made here, I made them!

I had little support at the the time so I have to accept the will of the majority if progress is to be made.

The issue is twofold and I know this is repetitive and harsh but a democratic Council is everything, forget Party politics. We did not have that at the time and that harsh lesson must spread outwards.

Secondly, when forums are set up to make progress in an open way, people must attend, or show interest, or follow up and give feedback. Responding to banner newspaper headlines becomes an 'after the Lords Mayor Show'.

There seems to be misconceptions about the project which emanate form a poor debate with too much disinformation. This is not a Council project.

HBC are not in a realistic position to say "Stop" and "Progress elsewhere". It is not their scheme, they are only consultee's and the planning authority (bound by laws not choices). County own the scheme with BwD, own the land, own the agenda. Geoff Driver CC Leader has refused to come to Hyndburn Council to discuss the matter.

If roll back were to occur how is LCC being influenced? How are bus users whom are for it being influenced? How are the Government going to be influenced? How are bus companies being swayed? BwD, who has wrote to them complaining as a lead organisation? who has the knowledge to sway specialists in bus transport who favour Crawshaw Street as a 'obvious choice'?

If we want to make Hyndburn better, especially where there are a multitude of interested parties, people must rise to the occasion.

Which comes back to democracy. Why the new Council has set up new forums, one on Transport that meet frequently and are open discussions. We (The Labour Party) have to help people express their view.