A PARTNERSHIP between councils and the police has been formed to improve road safety in the north east of Preston.

The area of St Mathews, which is bounded by New Hall Lane, Blackpool Road and Ribbleton Lane, is currently being looked at with the aim of reducing casualties by slowing the speed of traffic.

In the last five years, there have been 98 people injured in 66 separate road crashes in the area -- 26 of which were pedestrians and 13 were cyclists.

Lancashire County Council and Preston Borough Council are now proposing to introduce a 20mph speed limit on all roads in the area as well as building mini-roundabouts, chicanes, road humps or even setting up road closures to make sure the speed limit is effective.

County councillor Brian Johnson, deputy chairman of highways and transportation, said: "Some of these measures may have different effects on people's lives within the area. We would therefore like to hear the public's views on the types of measures they would like to see in the area."

Members of the public were recently invited to a road safety exhibition at St Joseph's parish club to air their views.

But anyone who could not attend the exhibition can still make their views known by filling in forms that will be posted throughout the area, or by contacting Russell Rees at Preston Borough Council on (01772) 906792 or Peter Andrews at Lancashire County Council on (01772) 364577.