Purpose

Following Storm Ciara in 2020, approximately 25m length of Walmsley Bridge Lane adjacent to the River Brock in Claughton on Brock slipped. Walmsley Bridge Lane became unsafe for motor vehicles to pass and has since been closed to traffic. The purpose of this proposal is to close a section of Walmsley Bridge Lane to all motorised vehicles therefore only open to cyclists, equestrians and pedestrians.
These proposals include the following:
- A prohibition of driving traffic regulation order for a section of Walmsley Bridge Lane at the land slip location
- Road traffic signage providing advanced warning of the prohibition of driving
- Timber post and rail fencing installed adjacent to the landslip location
- This prohibition includes an obstruction in accordance with Section 92 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 by introducing bollards to prevent vehicular traffic entering the section of Walmsley Bridge Lane exposed to the land slip




Consultations
Formal consultation was carried out between 21 January 2026 and 18 February 2026 which included advertising in the local press and notices being displayed on site. Divisional county councillors were consulted along with the council's usual consultees and the consultation documents posted on the council's website.
A total of five responses were received during the formal consultation, including two objections. One respondent objected on the grounds that the closure of the road could set a precedent for closing other roads across Lancashire rather than maintaining them. A second respondent objected on the basis that the proposed restriction does not take account of all vulnerable road users, including motorcyclists.
Two responses were received in support of the proposals, although they raised a number of queries. A further respondent requested a meeting to discuss the proposals.

Following the conclusion of the formal consultation process, and in consideration of the feedback received, the proposals were modified to include the closure of the section of Walmsley Bridge Lane to all motorised vehicles except solo motorcycles.

Following formal consultation 2 Objections were received.

Following formal consultation ? responses were received. The main points raised in the responses along with Officer comments are outlines in Appendix C.
 

Decision

Peter Bell, Highway Regulation Manager, on behalf of the Director of Highways and Transport took a decision that the proposals will now be modified to include the closure of the section of Walmsley Bridge Lane to all motorised vehicles except solo motorcycles.