MOTORISTS speeding through the Milnshaw area of Accrington are the target of a new police and county council crackdown.

A joint road safety operation was launched after residents in the 20mph Lancaster Avenue and Thornyholme Road area complained about drivers going too fast.

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Electronic signs have now been put up to alert motorists to their speed, while volunteers have been recruited to use speed cameras.

Local councillor Paul Cox said: “The local community police team arranged for Community Road Watch Scheme members to spend some time in these areas.”

Several drivers have already been caught driving in excess of the speed limit, and Cllr Cox hopes the new crackdown will bring the issue to the fore of the council’s focus.

He said: “Since the introduction of the new 20mph zones, both roads have had several incidents involving traffic travelling too quickly along this particular section.

“Maybe it’s time to look at another way of tackling this problem. The first step though is to establish the amount and speed of traffic in this location.

“Hopefully this is a progressive step in helping resolve this problem.”

The county council’s cabinet member for highways and transport, Cllr John Fillis, said the first action taken was the deployment of Speed Indicator Devices (SpIDs), which are more commonly known as ‘smiley face speed signs’.

The devices can record speeds but not details of cars. Their aim is to positively reinforce safer driving and to complete a survey of drivers’ speeds, Cllr Fillis said.

“A speed survey was carried out in October 2007 prior to the introduction of the 20mph speed limit in Lancaster Avenue, which showed the average speed to be 24.7mph eastbound, with an average of 369 vehicles per day, and 25.9mph westbound, with an average of 436 vehicles per day.

“Officers have arranged for speed surveys to be carried out in Lancaster Avenue and Gloucester Avenue, which should be completed by the end of June.

“In addition, the county council has been working alongside Lancashire Police in establishing the Community Road Watch scheme.”