THE sequence of a group of traffic lights is set to be changed in a bid to make a busy town centre road safer.

Currently the traffic lights on Barbara Castle Way can all land on a green light, however as part of the £2.9million scheme to change traffic flow in Blackburn town centre they will be altered.

This comes as an investigation by the Lancashire Telegraph revealed a motorist was recorded travelling at 98mph in Barbara Castle Way, more than three times the speed limit.

The traffic flow will alter by opening up Victoria Street end of Richmond Terrace, a new link road at Richmond Hill to give a direct exit into Barbara Castle Way from the Mall.

Cllr Phil Riley, highways boss for Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: “As part of the work we are doing to Victoria street to improve the traffic, we are going to have a look at the traffic lights in Barbara Castle Way.

“At the moment during the sequence all the lights on Barbara Castle Way go green.

“The idea was to help improve traffic flow and stop people getting caught, however it does encourage people to try and run all the lights.

“The lights will be safer when they are changed.

“It won’t completely stop lunatic driving but we hope when the lights are changed will play their part and put people off.

“The man driving at 98mph was clearly putting people’s lives at risk.”

Other reckless speeds were logged on the A59 near Clitheroe, where 98mph was recorded on November 4, 96mph on September 1 and 95mph on September 8. Speeds of 99mph and 97 mph were recorded on the A59 near Sawley.

The road improvements will also include additional on-street car parking at Sudell Cross and Richmond Terrace.

There will also be better pedestrian crossing in Barbara Castle Way between Whalley Range and the town centre.

It is hoped all the work, including the lights will be in place by Autumn 2019.