'Cul-de-sac' signs installed in Lancaster street without formal public consultation on changes

Lancashire County Council said it would be removing or covering the signs, which have been in place for around a week, so that a formal consultation can take place.

Long Marsh Lane connects St George's Quay to the Castle Park area of the city.

A spokesman for Lancashire County Council said the council is currently preparing the publication of a formal consultation into the proposal to prevent Long Marsh Lane being used as a through route.

He said: "This proposed change to the local highway network was applied as part of the planning conditions for the Luneside East housing development due to the committee's concerns that the development may lead to an unacceptable increase in traffic using Long Marsh Lane.

"However making such a change requires that a formal consultation be held on a Traffic Regulation Order, with any objections to be presented in a report to the cabinet member for highways for a decision.

"As such no signage should currently be in place, and we will carry out an inspection and arrange for any signs to be taken down or covered up."

Amy Stanning, who lives in Riverside View and is Vice Chair of Lancaster and Morecambe Liberal Democrats, said: "These steps to sever Long Marsh Lane for through traffic will cause disadvantage to many residents and have been made without any recent consultation or notice by the County Council.

Long Marsh Lane is an important access road to and from the Marsh and riverside areas to and from the city.

"Closure will increase traffic along the only two remaining routes – St George’s Quay and Meeting House Lane/Westbourne Road.

"The route is particularly important during times of traffic disruption when both other routes are heavily congested.

"Residents of the castle area would only have one access - to and from Market Street by the Storey Institute."

She said that by already erecting the signs and constructing a turning space on part of Giant Axe field, Lancashire County Council "seem to be treating consultation as a ‘fait accompli’".

She added: "There has been no signage for the closure, no notices and no leaflets distributed.

"Indeed in the recent Lancaster Traffic consultation there was no mention whatsoever of the proposal."