SPEED traps are being set up at a blackspot to try to prevent someone dying after four accidents in three days prompted a demand for action.

And further good news for residents came as it was confirmed the 60mph speed limit on the road will be reduced to 50mph - as soon as the signs are ready.

Sergeant Keith Jackson, of the road policing unit, made the pledge for short-term action following furore over speeding motorists on the A675 trunk road from Blackburn to Bolton, between Belmont and Abbey Village.

Residents want a speed camera and The Lancashire Partnership For Road Safety is currently looking into the feasibility of this.

The speed limit on the road was reduced from 40mph to 30mph last year, but villagers said, because it was sandwiched by 60mph sections, the move had made little difference.

Nine people were injured between last Thursday and Saturday, including a 12 year-old boy and his dad, who together needed skin grafts and the amputation of a finger.

Sgt Jackson said that unless motorists killed their speed on the road, a death was inevitable.

He added: "Over the four days all the accidents were down to excessive speed. Motorcyclists and car drivers must slow down on this stretch of road.

"Five people sustained life-changing injuries, all of which could have been avoided."

On June 26, at 7pm, a 34 year-old motorcyclist lost control and suffered multiple fractures that required surgery.

Just 10 minutes later, another motorcyclist crashed and was lucky to escape with a slightly injured foot.

The following day, at 10pm, two cars collided head on after one lost control on a bend.

A 55 year-old man broke his pelvis and fractured both his legs. His wife, 55, had bruising, shock and whiplash.

The 24 year-old man driving the other car had internal injuries and severe bruising.

On Saturday, at 12.50pm, three motorbikes and two vehicles crashed. Police said the first motorcyclist overtook a Subaru on the brow of a hill and collided with two other bikes travelling in the opposite direction.

A Ford Fiesta then ploughed into the debris.

The first biker had multiple fractures to his right leg and hip, a broken right hand and crush injuries. He underwent major surgery.

Another biker had a finger amputated and had multiple fractures to his right leg. His 12 year-old son needed skin grafts after a severe cut on his right thigh, and also fractured a leg and needed surgery on his foot.

The third motorcyclist, a 21 year-old man, sprained an ankle and had bruising.

Sgt Jackson added: "If we can't get people to slow down through increasing speed awareness, then we have no option but to crack down on those who break the speed limit.

"Over the next few weeks, we will be actively targeting that stretch of road.

"Over the next few months the 60mph stretches will be reduced to 50mph. It is now just a case of waiting for the signs to be made."