BLACKPOOL residents have won a seven-year fight to slow down heavy traffic on a road they describe as a death trap.

Speed limits on Garstang Road West and Poulton Road are to be reduced from 40mph to 30mph ... much to the delight of local campaigners.

Petitions and meetings with councillors have both been organised in the past and the fight came to an end when members of Blackpool's transportation committee agreed to extend the 30mph restrictions from Plymouth Road roundabout to the borough boundary.

Joan Fannan of Garstang Road West, who has lived in the area for six years, commented: "The road is like a race track and it's getting worse.

"There have been a lot of accidents around here, including one a few months ago.

"It's about time the speed limits were changed."

Neighbour Maureen Horner added: "When you're waiting to turn right into Dinmore Avenue you can hear the traffic coming up behind you trying to get past. This is a built-up area and there are a lot of children who have to cross the road on the way to Collegiate School.

"There aren't even any pedestrian crossing facilities."

The speed reduction has also been welcomed by ward councillor Les Kersh, who took the residents' fight on board.

He said: "We have waited a long time for this but it has been worth it.

"We had representations from most residents, many of whom find it difficult to get out of their driveways.

"There were also problems with people parking at night and having to leave their lights on. We knew something had to be done and this was the quickest way."

The proposals have been approved by police and the highways department and are expected to be rubber-stamped by the full council on February 14.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.