A NEW scheme to improve safety on a route used by vehicles avoiding the Grane Road from Blackburn to Haslingden has been welcomed.

Lancashire County Council's cabinet this week approved the £30,000 proposal for hazard markers, improved signing and road markings on the B3236 Roundhill Road between Rams Clough and the junction with the A680 Blackburn Road.

County Cllr David Stansfield, who represents Rossendale West, said: "I welcome these much-needed improvements.

" However we still need average speed cameras on this road before someone is killed or seriously injured. They could use the money raised by the existing cameras on the Grane Road to pay for them."

The scheme is part of a £1m package of road improvements agreed by the cabinet which also includes:

* new 'slow' markings and junction warning signage at Simonstone Crossroads;

* better signing for the B6245from Spade Mill Reservoir near Longridge to Ribchester; and

* better warning signs and road markings for the Brown Street/ Ormerod Street Roundabout in Accrington to make drivers more aware of it on approach.