PROTESTERS behind a long campaign to improve safety on a road which has claimed the lives of two children in the past five years today welcomed new plans to light the carriageway and said: "This goes 80 per cent of the way."

Lancashire County Council have revealed a number of options within proposals to improve the A682 Rawtenstall to Edenfield bypass from its junction with the A56, which links the M66 to East Lancashire.

The busy unlit stretch of road to Queens' Square Roundabout, Rawtenstall, is regularly crossed by pedestrians.

Today the father of a 12-year-old boy who died on the unlit part of the road bypass said: "Lights would be good but motorists must now do their bit and slow down."

Bob Laughland's son Simon died in November 1997 while he was crossing the busy A682 Rawtenstall-Edenfield part of the bypass with his older brother Andrew, now 19.

In March this year 11-year-old Emmanuel McConnell died after he was struck by two vehicles while crossing the same stretch of road.

Head of traffic and safety at Lancashire County Council Terry Carter said the preference was to light the stretch.

He is also calling on Rossendale Council to look into reducing the number of crossing points on the road. Currently there are four footpaths, but Mr Carter advises an officer be delegated to look at rationalising them.

Mr Laughland, of Hillside Road, Haslingden, said: "Lights are brilliant and they go 80 per cent of the way to making it safe but children still need to realise how quickly cars are going.

"I would encourage the council to pursue getting the speed limit reduced to 50mph to give motorists better reaction time before they get to the crossings."

Mr Laughland welcomed the idea the number of footpaths may be reduced and urged the council to look at replacing road crossings with footbridges.

A report will be discussed at Monday's development and environmental services committee at the town hall, Rawtenstall.