THE CAMPAIGN for a roundabout at an A59 accident blackspot has hit the skids over cash.

For years, campaigners, led by Ribble Valley MP Nigel Evans, have pleaded for a roundabout at the junction of Sabden Road and Pendle Road, near Clitheroe.

In the last five years there have been 18 collisions at the junction, including one fatal and five causing serious injuries. Eighteen months ago, traffic-calming measures were installed stopping Preston-bound traffic turning right on to Pendle Road.

County Hall has now said there will be no roundabout because it cannot afford the estimated £500,000 cost.

It also said the measures put in, at a cost of more than £100,000, have reduced the number of injury accidents.

But Mr Evans said: "This decision means there are going to be more deaths and serious injuries.

"I am sick and tired of the county council banging on about road safety, then doing nothing about it.

"Why don't they invest some of the millions made from speed cameras?"

County transport boss Coun Tony Martin said: "We have looked at the possibility of putting a roundabout in and we can't do it.

"Neither ourselves nor the police have the money. If we did I'd love to build a roundabout and would also like to straighten Devil's Elbow, on the A671 near Whalley, because that's another trouble spot.

"I sympathise with what Nigel Evans is saying and if he was to get me another £20 to £30million for my budget I would happily build it."

Last March, Ian Gavin, 76, a retired GP from Accrington, was killed when his car was struck by an onrushing vehicle as he pulled out of Sabden Road. In July a three-year-old was injured after his parents' car collided with a 17-tonne HGV at the junction with Pendle Road.

Chief Inspector Allan Wyllie, who oversees road safety for Eastern Division, backed the decision. He said: "We had a site meeting this week and reviewed the temporary measures put in place 18 months ago.

"The measures will continue because of reduced casualty figures since it was installed."