ONE of the ‘most dangerous’ roads in the UK has been given a £1million safety funding boost.

The A682, which stretches from Barrowford to Long Preston in North Yorkshire, has become infamous with drivers after claiming lives over the years.

The funding is part of £100m which has been awarded to local authorities to tackle England’s most dangerous A-roads.

A joint bid from Lancashire and North Yorkshire county councils was given £1,065,000 to carry out a safety improvement scheme on the rural road, which runs through Blacko and Gisburn, allocated for this financial year.

The scheme will see the introduction of average speed cameras, solar-powered road studs, better lines marking the centre of the road and rumble strips.

Together these measures are expected to substantially reduce serious and fatal crashes.

Lancashire county councillor Christian Wakeford, who represents the area including the road in Pendle, said: “Having lost family members through road accidents, improving road safety is close to my heart."

“Lancashire County Council is working closely with North Yorkshire County Council to improve the A682 and I look forward to work starting soon.”

In 2007 the A682 was identified as Britain’s most dangerous road by the Road Safety Foundation.

A motorcyclist died after a crash on the road in June 2016.

A section of the road was closed in March this year after a collision involving a milk tanker caused a spill, leaving the driver in a critical condition.

The tanker was travelling towards Gisburn and collided with an oncoming Ford Mondeo.

It overturned and struck a wall and a tree before coming to a stop on the opposing carriageway.

The driver of the tanker, a man in his 20s, received suspected injuries to his shoulder, face and hip.

The occupants of the Ford Mondeo escaped without injury.

Nigel Evans, Ribble Valley’s MP, said: “I hope that this money can endure greater safety for motorists and bikers.

“The last 10 years have seen over 100 people killed on this road - 100 senseless and unacceptable deaths.

“All danger spots must be engineered out to save another 100 meeting their untimely death on one of the UK's most dangerous roads.”

Andrew Stephenson, Pendle’s MP, said: “Too many lives have been lost on the A682.

“It is a popular road for motorcyclists, and while its safety record has improved, there is still more to do to make it truly safe.

“That is why I am delighted the Government is acting to improve road safety in Pendle and across England, by investing in our roads,” said Mr Stephenson.

Transport Minister Jesse Norman said: “I am pleased to announce the successful bids for the Safer Roads Fund, which we made available to enable local authorities to improve the 50 most dangerous stretches of A-roads in England.

“We are investing £100m to tackle these dangerous roads.

“This package of measures underlines the Government’s recognition of the importance of road safety.”