A WORRIED mum says children's lives are at risk because speeding drivers are swerving round unfinished traffic calming systems.

Boy racers use the speedbumps as chicanes and drive round them at speed through parking bays, said Julie Donnelly of Lawrence Street, Blackburn.

Last year, she organised a residents' petition to Blackburn with Darwen council for speed restriction measures on the street, used as a 'rat run' to the Ashworth Street estate.

The speed bumps were installed in April but wide gaps were left at either side of the road for parking bays, now being used as a race track.

Parents are so concerned they have left dustbins out to block access.

"They have put speedbumps in but it's unfinished," said Julie, who has a four-year-old son. "If they are doing anything they should do it right to the end."

Children from the estate gather on the street and play on the kerb and in the driveways, she said.

"If the children are playing there, it's dangerous," she said. "All it needs are bollards. I complained about it three weeks ago."

A council spokesperson said bollards would be installed as soon as possible to prevent drivers speeding through.

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