A CORONER has called for action to slow traffic and improve street lighting on an Accrington street following a fatal road accident.

But the lighting is unlikely to be improved unless Lancashire County Council comes up with more cash.

Edna Smith, 77, died in hospital ten days after colliding with a car in Plantation Street as she walked home from church on a Sunday evening in January.

Coroner Andre Rebello has written to Hyndburn Council to raise his concerns following a recent inquest when he recorded a verdict of accidental death on Mrs Smith, of Whalley Road, Accrington.

Mr Rebello says he considers the existing maximum speed of 30mph is in excess of a safe speed, bearing in mind the quality of the street lighting and the fact that cars are double parked down the street.

He suggests traffic calming measures and improved street lighting. However, a report to tonight's (Wednesday) Hyndburn Council environmental services committee says a traffic calming scheme, jointly funded by the county and borough councils, had already been drawn up before the accident and is due to be introduced in the current financial year.

The scheme will reduce speeds to about 20mph in Plantation Street and other streets.

However the introduction of a 20 mph speed limit would require a larger zone to be calmed and at present funds are not available for a more extensive scheme, adds the report.

The borough council maintains street lighting as agents for the county council but current resources only allow for day to day repairs and a planned programme of replacing structurally defective columns.

A copy of the coroner's letter has been sent to the county council urging more funds to be made available for street lighting.

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