AN AMBITIOUS £1 million plan has been drawn up, aimed at making Blackburn and Darwen's roads safer.

The blueprint includes a series of accident reduction schemes across the borough and work has already started on some of the projects. And part of the safety initiative will see a series of clampdowns on drivers who speed.

The latest drive is part of a crime and safety strategy put together by the council, police and other organisations. Road safety was one of the priority areas identified in a special audit carried out on crime and public safety.

The council is also planning to create a series of Home Zones, where pedestrians and cyclists will be given priority over cars and vehicles. Six business have also signed up to the campaign along with two Blackburn colleges. The eight organisations have all agreed to undertake road risk initiatives.

Councillor Bill Taylor, Blackburn with Darwen Council's crime and disorder strategy representative, said: "In East Lancashire 8,000 hospital bed days were occupied by people injured on our roads and 1,000 people visited casualty as a result of road accidents in the last two years.

"The Crime and Disorder Partnership in Blackburn with Darwen has set itself tough targets aimed at reducing the overall number of road safety incidents by three per cent during the next 12 months. These measures will go some way towards achieving that aim, but I hope drivers themselves will do all they can to improve their driving habits and help us beat our targets." The accident prevention schemes are in:

Fore Street, Lower Darwen - new mini-roundabout.

Queen's Park Road, Blackburn - junction tables and road humps.

Preston Old Road, Blackburn - pedestrian refuge island.

Haslingden Road, Blackburn - modification to existing roundabout.

Pine Street, Blackburn - road humps.

Audley Range, Blackburn - new mini-roundabout.

Wellington Road, Edgworth - new road signs and road markings.

Preston New Road, Blackburn - new road markings and islands.

A666, Darwen - improved road signs.

Lower Eccleshill Road, Lower Darwen - improved signs and road markings.

Watery Lane, Darwen - improved road markings and footpaths.

Whalley Street, Blackburn - road humps.

Accrington Road, Blackburn - footpath extensions.

Rockliffe Street, Blackburn - road narrowings.

Belmont Road, Belmont - improved signs and markings.

Whalley New Road, Blackburn - new markings.

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