A QUARTER of lorries which use roads in East Lancashire have potentially dangerous defects, a Traffic watchdog warned today.

The North West's Traffic Commissioner Keith Waterworth says the figures - compiled during roadside checks - were the highest in the country.

And bus and coach operators in the region have the second worst record in the country, with almost one in six vehicles on the road found to be faulty.

Mr Waterworth pledged that operators who break safety regulations would face disciplinary action.

Poor maintenance is the main reason for bringing operators to book but a number of others have failed to ensure drivers complied with drivers' hours and tachograph regulations.

Mr Waterworth said: "All those with an interest in road safety in the region must continue their drive to improve standards.

"That includes operators who fail to ensure that their drivers comply with the drivers' hours and tachograph regulations.

"It is an operator's responsibility to control drivers effectively and to honour undertakings given to obtain an operator's licence.

"Those who do not fulfil these undertakings can expect to face licence disciplinary action."

Mr Waterworth's report also revealed that the number of bus operators in the region had increased by five per cent and there has been a ten per cent increase in new local bus services.

Mr Waterworth said: "This demonstrates a commitment to improve public transport provision in the region." But he warned: "The bus operators are in no doubt that I am determined to ensure that they meet their obligation to run local bus services on time and will not hesitate to take action against those who repeatedly fail to provide a reliable service to the travelling public."

An increased awareness of people's right to object to applications for sites where lorries are to be parked has led to lorry businesses having schemes turned down or restrictions put on the site in more than 50 per cent of cases.

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