TRAFFIC experts have spelled out the reasons why lorries will not be barred from using the notorious Grane Road.

Other traffic calming measures which have also been deemed unsuitable for East Lancashire's death road include speed cameras, continuous double white lines, a mini roundabout at the Holden Arms and road humps.

Residents have blamed the many lorries using the road for the high number of accidents, with impatient car drivers trying to overtake the slow-moving vehicles. But highways experts say a weight restriction on the Grane Road would be "virtually unenforceable", and say it can be argued that slow-moving HGVs can also be viewed as a traffic calming measure in their own right.

Double white lines can only be installed subject to national guidelines based on visibility, vehicle speed and stopping distances and the local highways authority has no powers to add extra white lines that don't meet those criteria.

And speed cameras will not be installed on Grane Road as the Pennine police division is already up to its limit on cameras.

The traffic calming measures that are being considered for the road include high visibility chevron signs, marker posts on bends, and an extension of double white lines at three locations, subject to these meeting the national guidelines.

Signs will also be erected to warn drivers that police are checking speed in the area and to inform them of the number of accidents that have happened on the road in recent months.

Details of the plan were outlined in a letter to Rossendale Council's borough engineer from County Hall.

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