A MAN has been killed as he walked along the notorious A671 Whalley Road near Read.

The 33-year-old, who has not yet been named by police, was in collision with a Ford Mondeo on Saturday night shortly before 11.30pm.

It is the fourth death on the road between Whalley and Read in the last five years despite engineering work carried out by Lancashire County Council last September in an attempt to cut the number of accidents.

Today, Ribble Valley North East County Coun Albert Atkinson said the stretch, known as 'devil's elbow', should be straightened.

Insp Russ Morgan said: "There has been a fatal road traffic collision on Whalley Road near Read.

"Police patrols were called at 11.27pm on Saturday after reports a vehicle being driven towards Read had collided with a pedestrian in the road. A male aged 33 was pronounced dead at the scene.

"The road was closed for approximately four hours while specialist officers investigated."

In September the road was resurfaced, new signs and linings were put in and strength and safety on the bridge were improved. Work was delayed after an accident involving a 40 tonne vehicle carrying waste at the bridge site during which two workmen were injured.

Coun Atkinson said he would raise the issue again with county council engineers when staff return from their Easter break and would be asking for a copy of the police report.

He said: "It's tragic. It's a bad road. We've changed the speed limit, we've had it resurfaced, and there are still accidents.

"I will look into it again. That road has been a problem ever since it was built and there was going to be a Read by-pass but when the Labour party came in eight years ago it was third on the list and they kicked it into touch.

"If it was up to me we'd take the bend out completely and straighten it but it would cost half a million pounds to buy the land. I've tried and tried to have that road straightened out and every time someone gets killed I feel as if I've failed."

Anyone who witnessed the accident or has information should contact Blackburn police on 01254 51212.

In a separate incident a pedestrian was killed as he crossed Burnley Road, in Padiham, near to junction with Hambledon Street.

The man was struck a Honda Prelude saloon travelling towards Burnley at around 7.30pm on Sunday.

He was taken to Burnley General Hospital, but never regained consciousness and was pronounced dead at the hospital.