THE operation and maintenance of traffic lights in Blackburn with Darwen will be reviewed after a second accident involving failed signals at a complex junction.

On Sunday morning a motorcyclist was taken to hospital after being hit negotiating the crossroads between Darwen Street, Mill Lane and Jubilee Street.

The lights had failed that morning and were still not working the following morning.

On June 30, a woman was also taken to hospital after a crash at the junction of Salford and Cicely Lane outside the entrance to the Morrison’s supermarket carpark.

Two collided at the intersection where the traffic signals failed in May and have yet to be repaired.

After Sunday’s accident the rider of the Suzuki GZX bike, which had been in collision with a red Mazda 2 Sport car close to the Last Orders pub, was taken to Royal Preston Hospital for treatment.

Borough regeneration boss Phil Riley said: “I am very concerned about both these accidents.

“I have already asked questions about why the the traffic lights at these junctions were not working and why the ones near Morrison’s carpark have been out since May.

“With the road works related to the Pennine Reach scheme now close to completion, I shall be asking Capita, who manage them, to review the operation, repair and maintenance of the entire traffic light system in Blackburn with Darwen.”

“This seems an appropriate time to look at how the system is working, how the lights are synchronised and how we ensure that they are in good order and, when necessary, repaired as quickly as possible.”

It is understood that Capita were not notified of the failure of the Darwen Street lights until mid-morning yesterday.

Borough Tory regeneration spokesman Derek Hardman said: “I welcome this much-needed review.

“I shall raise this issue with growth director Brian Bailey when I meet him shortly.

“After two accidents at failed lights, problems on Barbara Castle Way and the imminent end of the Pennine Reach works, this is the appropriate time to look at the whole system.

“I shall ensure that this review is undertaken urgently and comprehensively.”

Liberal Democrat spokesman Roy Davies said: “Two injury accidents at failed traffic signals is not good enough, especially as one set has not worked since May.”

“This review is much-needed to make sure the system works properly as it sometimes seems to cause chaos.”

No-one from Capita was available for comment.