LANCASTRIANS have petitioned the city and county councils in protests at road work they say will cause a serious accident.

The 28 petitioners from the small Meadowside street in Lancaster argue that alterations on the exit to Bowerham Road and the Pointer Roundabout has made the road "extremely dangerous."

The irony is the work was designed to make the junction and roundabout safer for pedestrians.

But Dorothy Smith of Meadowside dismissed that as she put the residents' case. She said: "Residents here say this is an accident waiting to happen. There was no advance notice or consultation with residents before work started. Luckily the new junction is not yet completed. We ask the council to think again, put it back as is it was and make our lives safer."

The petition itself suggests a zebra crossing or traffic lights to make the road safe for pedestrians instead of reducing the car lanes from two to one.

A county council spokesman explained that there had been 12 injury accidents by the roundabout during the last five years.

He added: "I can confirm Lancashire county council received a petition and letter from residents yesterday. I know that the city council have also received it. I believe the city council are doing the work on behalf of our Highways and Transport Department.

"All I can say at this stage is our officers are considering the pedestrians' letter and proposals and they will be contacting each of them at a later date. Obviously the work is still on-going at this stage in any case."

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