A MAIN road through a Ribble Valley village has been branded a ‘race track’ following a spate of crashes and near misses.

The local county councillor has called for action to improve safety on the A677 Preston New Road after he received 40 complaints from Mellor Brook residents over speeding cars and vehicles crashing into their front gardens.

County Coun Barrie Yates said the road was being used as a race track by young drivers and that action was needed to deter dangerous driving.

Coun Yates, who represents the area, has recently successfully lobbied the council to take steps to lower the speed limit from 40mph to 30mph but has called for more to be done.

Coun Yates said: “It’s getting to a stage where people cannot get out of their drives and struggle to cross the road.

“There have been six major crashes so far this year and countless number of near misses and shunts.

“This has been going on for a long time and enough is enough.

“It’s excellent that the speed limit is going to lowered but the problem will be enforcing it. It will make the road a lot safer if the council and the police can enforce the new limit.

“Most of the time it’s like drivers are using the road for time trials and it causes such a problem in the local area.”

The Samlesbury Action Group has called for the road to be redesigned.

Paul Dunne, Lancashire County Council highways manager for Preston, said: “We understand residents' concerns and are keen to reduce vehicle speeds along this stretch of road. We are currently holding a formal consultation on the proposal to reduce the speed limit to 30mph which is part of the legal process we need to go through.

“We will have to consider responses to the consultation but aim to have the 30mph limit in place in the coming months and will be working with the police to monitor its impact.

“If necessary, we will consider further action which may include targeted enforcement.”