CAMPAIGNING residents claimed a victory for people power today after councils agreed to traffic-calming measures on Lancashire's most dangerous road.

A total of 83 people have been killed or injured on Grane Road between Haslingden and Blackburn in the last two years.

But now work to slow down traffic on what has become known as East Lancashire's "death road" is due to start in April.

Residents hope the series of improvements will save lives and help Grane Road to lose its "rat run" tag and return to being a quiet country road.

Tony Hodbod of the Grane Residents' Association said: "The residents both in Haslingden and at the Belthorn end of Grane Road are all pleased with this outcome.

"We believe it has been well worth mounting our campaign as action on this road is absolutely necessary, not just for us, but in the wider interests in road safety.

"If our campaign has helped push these measures through a little more quickly, then it has been a success."

Subject to a public consultation period, work to reduce speed limits on the road and improve road markings will start in April and should be completed by the summer.

Other measures agreed to by Rossendale, Hyndburn and Lancashire councils include speed cameras, greater police presence, and the words "Haslingden" and "Blackburn" being removed from road signs on the M65 to deter drivers from leaving the motorway and taking a short cut across Grane Road.

The speed limit on Grane Road will be reduced from the National Speed Limit to 50 mph between Haslingden Cemetery and the Belthorn junction, from there towards Blackburn the speed limit will be reduced to 40mph, with double white lines within this zone. Mr Hodbod said: "Overall we are pleased. There were some measures we wanted that we didn't get, including extra lighting, but I think these can be looked at again in the future."

Mike Hodgkinson, who works on the police's traffic management team, said: "The problem with the Grane Road is not the road itself but the attitude of the drivers who use it.

"The Grane Road is a quiet country road which is used by far too much traffic. Too many motorists drive too fast on the road and take too many risks.

"What we want to do is to encourage more motorists to use the motorway and not the Grane Road."

Philip Cunliffe, Rossendale Council's Borough Engineer, said: "We have had a series of positive meetings with residents, and subject to the consultation period, work should start when funding becomes available in April."

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