DRIVERS using a busy stretch of road in Colne could see the speed limit slashed after calls from residents and school governors to make changes to the potentially dangerous spot.

Campaigners have urged Lancashire County Council to reduce the speed limit in Whitewalls Drive, on the approach to Burnley Road, for several years, and the matter has been raised as part of the Local Safety Scheme being promoted by the authority.

The county council now proposes to carry out an improvement scheme, aimed at improving pedestrian safety, calming traffic and preventing injury accidents along the length of Burnley Road, Colne.

Among the proposals is the introduction of an extension to the 30mph speed limit in Whitewalls Drive past the Regent Street junction.

It is thought the change in speed limit would help to calm traffic along Whitewalls Drive for a greater distance on both the approach to, and exit from, the roundabout.

Residents living in Burnley Road have said the crossing point near the roundabout at the junction of Burnley Road and Whitewalls Drive is hidden by bushes to motorists who are still driving at speeds of at least 50mph just yards before they reach it. Wheelchair user Jean Murray, who lived in Burnley Road but has since moved, called for a change to the road two years ago when she was forced to take a longer route to do her shopping at Colne Asda to avoid the dangerous crossing point at the end of Whitewalls Drive.

Neighbour Sarah Greenwood, 74, has also been pushing for an extension to the 30mph zone for many years.

She said: "At the moment the 30mph sign is right where pedestrians cross. If cars are coming along Whitewalls Drive they are looking out for other cars coming round the roundabout, not pedestrians.

"I have been getting on to the council about this for years because there are a lot of school children cross the road there too and it is a busy road at all times of the day."

Governors at Primet Primary School have also pushed for alterations on the approach to the roundabout. Complaints about the situation were made to County Councillor Tim Ormrod, who wrote to the county council.