PLANS are under way for a ‘speeding summit’ to stop commuters using a village as a high-velocity rat run.

Police, highways officials and county councillors are set to meet residents of Belthorn next month to discuss the issue.

Cllr Peter Britcliffe, who represents the village, on the county council is also seeking to get the authority’s new highways boss Cllr Keith Iddon to come and see for himself the problems caused by drivers ducking off Grane Road.

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Residents have been complaining since April 2015 that drivers using the village as a rat run have been speeding down Belthorn Road to doge traffic building up before the M65 junction 5 roundabout in Guide.

Earlier this summer residents conducted a traffic survey, which revealed that vehicles travelling through the village averaged speeds of 41mph.

Concerned about safety concerns they invited County Cllr Britcliffe, police and highways to a meeting on the June 7 but only County Cllr Britcliffe turned up.

He said: “These residents need to be listened to after conducting their own traffic survey.

“It will be too late if there is a dreadful accident.

“This is a matter of the safety of families and children.

“Motorists are using Belthorn village as a rat run to avoid traffic on the Grane Road, a busy commuter route.

“Something needs to be done and this meeting must take place as a matter of urgency so an action plan can be devised and put in place.

“Cllr Iddon has already promised to come and look at the situation as the new cabinet member for highways at the County Council.”

A police spokesman said: “We are currently liaising with Lancashire County Council to establish a suitable date for a meeting.”

A Lancashire County Council spokesman said: “We’re looking into the issue which has been raised and are liaising with the police to arrange a meeting."