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news
Todmorden (Google Maps)"Intimidating behaviour" sees police called to cycle lane consultation, as council cancels next event to "protect members of staff involved"
A public consultation, engaging the residents of a West Yorkshire town to give their views on a major cycle lane project, was cancelled and the police called after "disruptive and intimidating" behaviour made it "difficult for people to participate and share their views".
The news comes from a consultation event in Todmorden, where there were reports the police were called, a second engagement session scheduled for a day later subsequently cancelled by Calderdale Council to "protect members of staff involved".
Both 'have your say' events were in relation to an 'Active Todmorden' project which has been proposed and would see £3.244 million of funding from central government to "enable people to walk or cycle as part of their everyday journeys" by creating walking and cycling routes in the town.
However, while many have expressed positivity at the investment in the area, there has been criticism from an outspoken section of the community angered at the loss of parking spaces and the claimed effect on business and the town.
A cycle route along a main road into the town is proposed, alongside improvement to "provide an accessible, attractive, legible pedestrian environment in the town centre". The organiser of a fundraiser titled "Save Todmorden Town Carpark", which raised £1,280, with "all funds to be spent opposing the unpopular initiatives" argued the cycle lane "will cause months of disruption to the middle of town, discouraging residents and tourists from visiting and affecting retail and hospitality businesses in town".
However, a petition in support of the plans has been signed nearly 1,000 times, with those in favour suggesting there is a section of the community "outraged by having to walk an extra few yards from their car" who are accused of "trying to stoke fear and opposition".
Last month, we reported that one social media discussion about the investment had even attracted a bizarre comment from someone claiming to live in New Zealand spouting conspiracy theories about cycle lanes and 15-minute cities being "all part of the UN Agenda — get people out of their cars, reduce road widths and parking areas".
On Friday, Calderdale Council confirmed it had cancelled its consultation that was due to take place at Todmorden Market on Saturday.
A spokesperson said: "Calderdale Council was due to hold two engagement sessions at the market, for people to find out more about the Active Todmorden project, including an additional option to create a walking and wheeling scheme through the town. The project is part of the £17.5million Todmorden Town Deal regeneration programme, funded by the UK Government.
"Unfortunately, at the session on Thursday 24 October, a small number of people were disruptive and intimidating, making it difficult for other people to participate and share their views. To protect members of staff involved, the Council has now taken the difficult decision to cancel the planned additional event on Saturday 26 October."
The council's post communicating the news online has been flooded with comments, many criticising the local authority, Reform UK Calderdale jumping on the issue to criticise the Labour-run council.
However, one resident described the scenes at the consultation as "appalling" and said: "There's passion and protest and then there's aggression and threat, this crossed the line."
Another wrote: "Really disappointing but unsurprising given that the police had to be called. Many people won't feel able to share their views anyway if others are being aggressive and confrontational. Small minority of people being aggressive and ruining things for everyone else."
Many of the other comments expressed anger at the council and the plans, one of the most-liked comments saying: "Wow, so you can't take people's anger, it part of the job. Unless they threatened you, then it is totally ridiculous. Nurses get abused all the time, they don't stop treating patients. Police constantly abused they don't stop protecting the people. If you can't take the heat, get out if (sic) the kitchen.
"It seems your plans don't fit with what people want, so anger is bound rise it's (sic) head, when you don't listen. This proves its (sic) an agenda and not a plan."
The council's statement did not silence the noise on social media that has surrounded the plans, the local authority having tried to explain: "The sessions were a face-to-face opportunity for people to find out more about the £3.2million Active Todmorden project, which is designed to promote healthier communities and create a more attractive and welcoming town which aims to:
- Provide an accessible and attractive pedestrian environment in the town centre and on the routes into the town.
- Improve pedestrian access and strengthen links between the Rail Station to the town centre.
- Establish a walking and cycling network, using the Burnley Road corridor for connections north/south.
"Two options were shared at the session; the cycling improvement option which was developed through consultation events earlier this year; and an additional walking improvement option which has been developed in response to more recent feedback."
Last month, we shared the account of the organiser of the petition supporting the plans, Hannah Dobson, who suggested that much of the online noise about the projects is being whipped up by those "trying to stoke fear and opposition".
She said: "Lots more people would like to cycle more to get around Calderdale but feel there are blockers in both infrastructure and road safety that prevent them from doing so. Reallocating road space is part of the solution. We need to show there continues to be strong support locally for such measures. Please support our petition to ask Calderdale to deliver on active travel schemes. Despite some localised and vocal opposition, the support is there."
Chris, a resident who has signed the petition, added: "I think there are just as many people who want people to be able to choose their own safe means of transport as there are people who are so outraged by having to walk an extra few yards from their car they feel the need to put up a load of banners claiming to represent everyone."
Likewise, another wrote: "Providing safer cycling routes benefits us all. It encourages more of us to consider whether car is the best choice for today's journey, it takes traffic off the roads, it improves air quality, and in many cases it means that more people shop and eat locally."
The council encouraged residents to continue to offer their views via the online consultation.
Dan is the road.cc news editor and joined in 2020 having previously written about nearly every other sport under the sun for the Express, and the weird and wonderful world of non-league football for The Non-League Paper. Dan has been at road.cc for four years and mainly writes news and tech articles as well as the occasional feature. He has hopefully kept you entertained on the live blog too.
Never fast enough to take things on the bike too seriously, when he's not working you'll find him exploring the south of England by two wheels at a leisurely weekend pace, or enjoying his favourite Scottish roads when visiting family. Sometimes he'll even load up the bags and ride up the whole way, he's a bit strange like that.
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23 comments
Militant motorists fighting a war against British families.
This sound more like deliberate intimidation rather than people simply getting hot under the collar. Given the far right wing thuggery we've seen lately it sounds very much like them; probably the same ones that cause trouble over LTNs and the 15 minute cities scheme. The government must take action to honour their active travel commitments ans mae sure this kind of thuggery doesn't succeed.
Alas this is standard fare for those operating at the level of bullying and violence. Attend the meetings, cross the line * - often ill-defined - between "passion" and frank disruption / intimidation. Get banned - and that becomes evidence of "there's no point in going through the standard process, that's just a con". Which then can fuel more angry "direct action".
No doubt said loud voices will frame that the opposite way round - as provocation by the powers that be - setting up such meetings in bad faith...
* I wasn't at this meeting but that seems to be the opinion?
I really used to like cycling through Todmorden. Not anymore. Too many close passes so I don't cycle, outside, at all now. The only way I'd consider it is if totally separate infrastructure existed, which it won't. So from my point of view I'll stay home, won't visit town because it's carnage with the traffic, and will get everything I need delivered. So the local people who are running small businesses, and therefore creating a job for themselves and possibly others, might want to have a think about a nice pedestrian environment and non motor vehicle access being more inclusive not less.
Todmorden has several progressive organisations whose ambitions align with the purpose of getting more people cycling. If anybody here is from Tod or Calderdale, please give some consideration to encouraging them to speak up for positive plans, as well as sending your own thoughts to Calderdale Council and its elected members.
Otherwise, it will be the emptiest vessels (cars usually have only one or fewer occupant) making the loudest noise.
https://todmorden-tc.gov.uk/local-action-groups-list/
"If you can't take the heat, get out if (sic) the kitchen.
"It seems your plans don't fit with what people want, so anger is bound rise it's (sic) head, when you don't listen. This proves its (sic) an agenda and not a plan."
Another petrolhead demonstrating their inability to use their native language: is it just coincidence that the poorest educated are the most right wing? They make me sic.
Having felt intimidated by some people when I've been out campaigning for better cycling facilities, I can well understand why the council cancelled the second consultation session. Council officers didn't sign up to that.
Great that there are so many people willing to stand up and be counted, and face down the bully boys who feel they are losing their right to intimidate people in their cars.
I feel "petrolhead" is the wrong term here. I prefer "car nerd". It's much closer to the truth.
No, no, no. Car nerds can tell you the model number of different generations of the same car; they can remember the spec list of that Cavalier their dad had in the 80s; they can explain the firing order of an engine; or get misty-eyed over a Fiat Multipla. The word you're looking for is just 'bullies'.
Nah. Petrolhead works as it sometimes comes across that their brains have been rotted by the petrol fumes.
Another petrolhead demonstrating their inability to use their native language
If you think they're dim and, like me, are both amazed and sickened at even the prospect of another Trump presidency, listen to this lot:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0jztbtq
The irony of Trump and his supporters declaring how stupid Harris is, and how the Harris supporters are under-educated is undoubtedly lost on them
There is a plethora of youtube vids showing the complete bafflement of Trump supporters who say that Trump does what he says, and are asked to name some of the things he's done: or even one of them. But they are still going to vote for him.
I wonder if Boris's book sales have reached double figures yet?
Petrolhead is the wrong phrasing. These views are expressed by huge segments of society. I'm a petrolhead, always have been, my Dad and brother were involved in grassroots motorsport, my dad was a coachbuilder and built lorries - I picked up all my mechanical skills from my Dad.
I don't however support unchallenged private car use. If people wish to own/use a car then thats ok but, consider the use more.
if people wish to own/use a car then thats ok but, consider the use more
Since the Dawn of Time, approximately 0.1% of BMW, Audi, pickup, SUV etc. drivers have ever considered NOT driving somewhere. They must be forced out of their ego substitutes, preferably before the seawater reaches up to the axles
It's shocking that people would try to normalise aggression. I think it's the last resort of the feeble minded. I still believe in things like facts and logic when putting forward an argument or opinion. I might be a dying breed.
....similar events in Leeds around 3/4 years ago - an aggressive and intimidating minority of objectors wrecked the consultation meeting to a road-safety scheme. A very large and dangerous (for pedestrians / cyclists / and vehicles ironically) roundabout at Lawnswood in north Leeds was subject to a consultation - planners suggested traffic signals, bike and pedestrian crossings etc. A very small but very vocal group of objectors attended an open consultation meeting. The objectors behaviour led to the meeting ending. All subsequent public meetings had private security staff in attendance - a very sad situation. The YMCA meeting on the Lawnswood Roundabout is now legendary (for all the wrong reasons) amongst transport planning and engineering staff in Leeds. The good news is that the plans were all finally approved 10 days ago and hopefully work will be starting in the new year !
"Is it just coincidence that the poorest educated are the most right wing?"
No, it's been pretty well established that left-wingers tend to be much better educated than right-wingers. I guess it's the simplicity of right-wing ideology that appeals to the hard of thinking.
I read something today, think it was in the narauidG, which asked how Trump - a millionnaire convicted felon with close ties to Russia - has managed to convince so many 'Merican patriots that he speaks for the Common Man and would be a Defender of the Free World.
I wonder if we can blame the American educational system?
Have you ever looked at the SAT papers used to assess for college admissions in the USA? If you haven't, take a look, you might both be astounded and find your question answered…
There are plenty of youtube vids where an American is asked a simple question e.g. what is 3x3x3, and they haven't a clue.
I think being able to ask good questions can be more valuable than having knowledge - especially so in today's information-rich thought-sphere.
... so I'd give them points if they asked in return "is that 3x3x3 on TikTok or X?" 😉
Not being funny anyone who's been through Todmorden can confirm the roads aren't exactly generous. At this rate though it will probably be only business owners etc will be consulted (provided they can do it in a collected manner), though if you asked the drivers there a portion would rather not have the route full stop. As for reform UK small minded effing gob💩 always will be a party like that ready with their big spoon to stir....
Like lots of the UK, small market towns could benefit from reducing traffic and embracing active travel options. The lack of space and opportunity to make more is exactly why we need to reduce volume.
My town is exactly the same, the council have just purchased more parking space to increase capacity.
We can't do anything to reduce car dependency "it does businesses no good" yet ironically, we can shut most of the central roads of for a week when the fair is here - many businesses close for this period as town is so quiet.
> the roads aren't exactly generous.
lol wtf. Halifax Road from Hebden to Tod is huge, it only gets narrower near Todmorden but not so narrow that there aren't tonnes of parked vehicles along it (with plenty of back alleys available). And Rochdale Road is enormous, so big in fact that it has a large chevron area down the middle because hey, we love pushing cars nearer people cycling right?