HIGHWAYS chiefs have been slammed after a car flipped on to its roof in an accident on a stretch of road where the street lights are unlit.

The lighting supply to the A56 at Earby was cut over six months ago when Lancashire County Council did resurfacing work.

Now Craven councillor David Whipp has demanded action before there is a tragedy.

Highways bosses said they reported the problem to Yorkshire Electricity Distribution Ltd (YEDL) in March and were still awaiting a reply.

But a spokesman for YEDL said they were only made aware of the situation yesterday and would now make a site visit.

Officers from Colne’s road policing team confirmed they were called to the accident close to the Punch Bowl Hotel at 11.30pm on Sunday.

A silver Peugeot 307 France estate was on its roof and a woman driver had sustained minor injuries.

Coun Whipp said: “This has confirmed my worst fears that the defective lighting would contribute to a collision.

"Local residents have been pressing for repairs since December. This is completely unacceptable.”

Brian Cook, county highways boss for the area, said: “The problem with the cables was reported to the YEDL in mid-March and we are still awaiting a reply.

"We have followed up this request again with an urgent reminder today.”

A spokesman for YEDL said: “We had an order placed today by Lancashire County Council for work to the street lights.

"We will be visiting the site tomorrow and will treat it as a priority to get the lights back on.

“We will also investigate with LCC why there has been a delay.”