The residents, business owners and stakeholders of Haslingden and the wider Rossendale area, are calling for improved transparency, accountability, and meaningful engagement between local authorities and the communities they serve.

Over recent months, residents and local businesses in Haslingden have experienced significant disruption due to ongoing roadworks and resurfacing projects along the town’s main routes and high street. A project originally expected to take approximately four months has now extended for close to ten months, causing serious disruption to daily life, local trade and access to the town centre. There doesnt seem to be anyone locally supporting these decisions made by local authorities. In Rossendale Lancashire, we have a continuous problem with the councils plans & decision making. Currently in Haslingden we have a resurfacing project on the main road, the high street which has caused many business to suffer. Deardengate is around 500 metres long and has been a constant laying and removal of paving, flower beds at ground level, dangerous and unecessary one way systems, gutters running onto pavements, drains in muddy flower beds, which have already been drove over. 

These issues may seem minor to some, but for those of us who live and work here, they affect the safety, appearance and future of our town. We live here. There are constant problems regarding resurfacing in Rossendale and the logistics of their plans are never beneficial to the area. People in Rossendale pay around £150 each month. With a population (reported online) of around 17000. Resulting in a cumulative of £2,500,000 monthly in Haslingden alone. Rossendale however has around 72,000-£10,800,000 per month. We deserve to know where our money goes-publicly/online. May I add essential charges ie Council Tax, Garden & Waste and Recycling Charges, Parking Permits and Fines, Parking Permits, Replacement Bins, Planning and Building Applications, Business Rates, Council housing rent, Marriage Registry, Animal Liscencing, Leisure/Gym Memberships, Market Stall Rent, Street and Other Trade Liscensing.

The Haslingden resurfacing (Big Lamp Project) was funded reportedly by The National Lottery Fund-£2.8 million. We should see publicly contact with the Council & funding organisation. We should have input as locals with where funding goes.

We should have input into the kind of business opening in our area. We want business that attracts custom from out of town and adds to the amazing community we have.

Many local businesses have reported financial losses due to reduced footfall and restricted access during this period. At the same time, residents have expressed concerns regarding safety during works, no communication from Rossendale Borough Council or Lancashire County Council has been publicly received. We have been met by poor project management and the overall impact these works are have had on the residents and business’ has greatly been felt. I myself as a business owner in Haslingden have felt the financial impact.

We are constantly left with half complete projects including Haslingden Market, Bacup Market, we want to see invoicing, plans & budgets.

We as the public recognise and support the need for investment in infrastructure and public services. The people of Rossendale contribute through Council Tax to support the upkeep and improvement of our communities. However, residents also believe they should have a clearer understanding & insight how public funds are used and how decisions affecting their towns are made.

Construction contracts commonly include a clause requiring the contractor to pay a set amount per day or week if a project finishes later than the agreed completion date. This is known as Liquidated and Ascertained Damages (LADs) and is intended to encourage projects to be delivered on time while protecting public funds from unnecessary delays. Was this funded by public funds or The Heritage Fund?

 

Most construction and infrastructure projects operate with an agreed completion date. In many industries, including electrical and civil infrastructure works, contractors are expected to meet these deadlines. Where delays occur, financial penalties or other contractual conditions are often included within the agreement to ensure accountability and effective project management.

 

Residents are therefore understandably questioning why a project that was originally expected to take approximately four months has now continued for close to ten months. If the completion date has been formally extended, it would be helpful for the community to understand the reasons for this and whether any contractual provisions exist regarding delays.

The review underway of local government in Lancashire makes for a fresh start, better relationships with public, strategic planning involving the public where they feel heard on their opinions. A final decision on whether councils like Rossendale will be replaced by larger unitary authorities is expected in 2026, with possible new councils operating from 2028 potentially.

 More insight should be provided on funding received, public access to communication between the council including Post Completition reviews and Contact between the two. We request a full breakdown of the project funding, including initial allocations, milestone payments and any remaining funds, to ensure transparency and accountability. For example we should be able to view contact with National Lottery Heritage Fund and the Council who have funded Haslingdens resurfacing project.

Greater transparency around the project timeline, contractual arrangements and any revised completion dates would help reassure residents and local businesses that the works are being properly managed and monitored.

 

As this project is funded through public money & funded, residents believe there should be transparency regarding the contractual terms involved. This includes clarity on the agreed completion date, whether any extensions have been granted and whether delay penalties apply.

 

Residents would also appreciate clear answers to the following questions:

 

• Why has the project continued approximately seven months beyond the original completion timeframe?

• Has the contract been formally extended, and if so, for what reasons?

• Are there any delay penalties or contractual provisions relating to the extended timeframe?

• Who is responsible for overseeing and managing the contract?

• Who is funding the additional time and costs associated with the extended works?

• Has there been a formal review of the contract or any approved extension of time, and if so, why has this not been clearly communicated to the public?

Providing this information would help restore confidence within the community and demonstrate that the project is being managed with appropriate oversight, transparency, and accountability.

 

Therefore, we respectfully call for the following actions:

 

 1. Improved Transparency in Public Spending

Public access to clear and understandable information regarding how Council Tax contributions are allocated and spent, including project costs, contractor payments and service expenditure. Names of business running sites publicly funded and their names. More insight into the funding they receive and how its spent/decided projects.

2. Greater Communication With Residents and Businesses

Regular updates regarding ongoing works, realistic project timelines and explanations for delays or changes to plans.

Council Tax, Garden & Waste and Recycling Charges, Parking Permits and Fines, Parking Permits, Replacement Bins, Planning and Building Applications, Business Rates, Council housing rent, Marriage Registry, Animal Liscencing, Leisure/Gym Memberships, Market Stall Rent, Street and Other Trade Liscensing-We want to see proof online how much is taken each month. And expenditure-including invoices and liasing with Contractors.

 3. Stronger Accountability for Public Works

Publicly available evidence of contractor standards/references, workmanship and project oversight to ensure high-quality and cost-effective delivery. Public & personal apologies for people affected by inconvenience.

 4. Community Representation in Local Planning & Expenditure

The creation of an independent, voluntary panel made up of local residents and business owners who understand the area and can provide practical input into proposed projects before implementation. These members should have no affiliation with the local council. An unpaid group of people from local areas that can first hand say what will and wont work within the area. A system that works with the local people and not against them where their opinions are heard and considered. Not just in Rossendale but an essential part of local councils decision making UK wide. 

 

 5. Support for Local Businesses During Disruptive Works

Supportive measures, funding or mitigation strategies for businesses significantly impacted by long-term infrastructure works. 

 

 6. Improved Responsiveness to Residents’ Concerns

Clear processes/system for addressing damage caused by council services & contractors on site, infrastructure issues and other local concerns, ensuring residents receive timely communication and resolution. 

 

 7. Investment in Community Wellbeing

Increased engagement with residents and young people in the area, helping ensure that council decisions contribute positively to the long-term future of Haslingden and the wider Rossendale community. The parks are in a terrible state & not been updated since the 90’s. There is no youth zone here in Haslingden. 

‘Information gathered from UK government guidance and council financial rules Local councils in the UK work on a financial year from 1 April to 31 March. Each department is given a budget for that year. If they don’t spend it, several things may happen: The money may not automatically roll over to next year. Future budgets might be reduced because it looked like they didn’t need it.’

This should not incur unecessary works out taken that dont benefit the people of said local area. More public input into works taken out.

8. Support for people struggling with council tax payments-not court, bailiff & prison threats in an already economically struggling community.

9. Funding/Loss of Earnings

We demand, as local business’ directly affected, for funding/grants using the Discretionary Funds Authorities hold

This petition is not intended as criticism of the principle of infrastructure investment or public services. Instead, it is a call for stronger collaboration between local authorities and the communities they serve.

 

We believe that by working together with residents, business owners, and local stakeholders, Rossendale & other councils can create a more transparent, responsive and thriving environment for everyone who lives and works here.

 

We ask Councils to acknowledge the concerns raised by the communities and engage in open dialogue online through their social platforms to improve their relationship with the public.

 

I, from Rosendale can only speak from my experience. Which is an absolute terrible state of management. I fear this is a much larger problem in the UK and it needs addressing immediately. As a resident and shop owner I speak for most when I say we want better. 

 

Dionne Ainsworth