CAMPAIGNERS who have been fighting for safety measures to be introduced on a notorious Colne ‘rat-run’ are celebrating victory.

Residents in the Birtwistle Avenue and Harrison Drive areas had faced years of traffic misery as motorists used the streets as a short-cut to the busy North Valley Road.

In July last year, pensioner Eric Judson suffered serious injuries when he was hit by a van while getting a shopping bag from his car.

Pendle county councillor Azhar Ali took up the residents’ fight at county hall and a £60,000 traffic calming scheme for the area has now been secured.

The scheme will see the introduction of a number of calming measures including new vehicle activated speed signage and speed bumps.

Elaine Wells, of Birtwistle Avenue, who launched the campaign with neighbour Angela Mitchell, said: “This is just brilliant news for the estate.

“We have been trying for years to get the councils to listen to us, without success.

“This will make a massive difference to the people on the estate.

“I would like to thank everyone who has helped at Lancashire County Council to get this money for our estate in Colne, especially County Coun Azhar Ali for delivering on the promise he made."

County Coun Ali said: “The North Valley estate is a rat-run for people trying to avoid the gridlock on North Valley Road and this has meant local residents, especially kids and the elderly, being forced to put their lives at risk when crossing the road.”

Coun Ian Tweedie, who represents the local area on Pendle Council, said: “I am delighted that Lancashire County Council have designed a comprehensive scheme which is going to cost around £60,000 to put in a traffic calming scheme all the way up Harrison Drive and Birtwistle Avenue as phase one of reducing speeds and accidents.”