AS I regularly drive along Whitebirk Road in Blackburn, it comes as no surprise to me that a fatal accident happened there. How anyone manages to cross safely beggars belief.

It must be very difficult for young, able-bodied people and for the elderly it must be well nigh impossible.

I don't think it is just the speed of traffic that is the problem as much as the vehicles parked on both sides of the road, so pedestrians have to emerge from between them, giving the driver no chance of slowing or taking evasive action.

The best way to improve matters is to make parking lanes within the areas which are grass verges (and often used for car parking) therefore widening the road sufficiently to afford siting of pedestrian refuges in the centre of the road. I'm sure residents would not object to loss of the verges in the interest of road safety and the council would be saved the cost of upkeep.

EILEEN M EASTHAM, Milton Close, Darwen.