RESIDENTS want a no-entry sign removed from a neighbouring street because they claim it puts their children at risk.

The call comes as residents in Bank Street, Darwen, have noticed an increase in traffic as a result of the sign.

Taxi driver Nadeem Nisar, 29, has started a petition to have the sign removed from Nancy Street, off Sudell Road.

He is backed by residents in Bank Street and plans to hand the petition to Blackburn with Darwen Council in the next week.

The council put up the sign following a petition last year requesting that the street be made one-way following concerns about speeding cars.

But Mr Nisar, of Bank Street, believes the sign has only shifted the problem, rather than solved it.

He said: "We noticed the difference within hours of the sign going up.

"The street is already heavily parked with cars and now drivers are turning on to Bank Street because they can't use Nancy Street.

"The traffic has increased, cars speed up and down Bank Street.

"Bank Street is already a rat-run for town centre traffic.

"Children's lives are being put at risk, including those of my kids and my son's foot has already been run over by a speeding car.

"I think the council should reconsider the sign."

Coun Alan Cottam, executive member for regeneration, said: "The residents of Nancy Street submitted a petition to the council last year requesting that their street be made one-way because they were concerned about speeding cars using it as a rat-run to the town centre.

"The proposal was advertised in the local media and in the area last November with a statutory 21-day notice for objections and was considered by the planning and highways committee in January 2007.

"Nancy Street is not part of a wider traffic management scheme but we do continually review traffic requirements.

"The sign was put up after careful consideration of the points raised by the residents.

"It would only be reversed if there were a compelling case and depending on the level of complaints and the reasons behind them."