COUNCIL chiefs could be forced to rethink a controversial traffic calming scheme following an horrific accident which left a toddler fighting for his life.

If a police accident report shows road-narrowing kerbs contributed to two-year-old Elliot Donlon being knocked down in Dill Hall Lane, Church, highways bosses will have to find another way of slowing traffic.

In the light of Elliot's accident - he is now stable in the paediatric intensive care unit of Leeds General Hospital - group engineer David Law, of Hyndburn's technical services, said: "We are now wondering whether we could have done anything to prevent it."

He added: "We're all distraught about what happened, but if police confirm the traffic calming measure played a part, we may have to take on the difficult task of finding a replacement.

"Road humps are out of the question because Dill Hall Lane is classified - meaning any kind of traffic can use it - and they would pose a problem for lorries and buses."

Mr Law met angry residents at the site three months ago, after complaints that the £35,000 scheme - which was introduced last year - was making the road more hazardous.

Last week, Susan Oldham, one of the Donlon's neighbours, said: "Every day I hear the clash of wing mirrors and screeching brakes - this road is lethal. We want this so-called traffic calming scheme changed before there is another serious accident."

A police spokesman said: "We are conducting an investigation into the incident but we're not looking to prosecute anybody. It appears to be an unfortunate accident."

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