Villagers in 'slow down' plea to drivers

Parish councillor Collette Ellis-Dears says Long Hey Lane, running for about a mile-and-a-half through Hoddlesden and Pickup Bank, near Darwen, has become a 'rat-run', putting residents and drivers in danger.

She says the area has a large number of children and a sizeable horse-riding community including up to 50 horses and 30 horseriders kept near the lane.

So far, she said, the community has been lucky, with no fatal accidents, but there have been many near misses.

Mrs Ellis-Dears said: "The lane has always had a problem with people cutting through. It's mainly a one-track, very very bendy lane and since they opened the motorways we have had a high amount of traffic cutting through.

"We are very much a horse-riding community. Most people down here do own horses. But our children cannot even walk to the local shop in Hoddlesden."

The parish council said it was not asking for speed cameras and expensive traffic calming measures, but it urged motorists to take more care.

Councillors have been told by traffic chiefs that, as the road has no street lighting, physical calming measures would be dangerous.

But the parish council says that in an area with a seven-and-a-half ton weight limit that regularly has works vehicles weighing three times that amount passing through, something has to be done.

Mrs Ellis-Dears said: "We are calling on people to have consideration to other road users and pedestrians, horse riders and cyclists."

Coun Fred Slater, East Rural ward representative on Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: "You can't legislate for idiots, and we get a lot coming through the area at high speeds.

"There are a lot of people who ride horses along those roads and it's dangerous if drivers don't take care.

"Through the East Rural Regeneration Board we did arrange that there is going to be a bridleway-come-footpath and cycle track on the road.

"The money is there, it's just a matter of getting the go-ahead."