A NEW call for safety improvements at a 'danger spot' bridge over the M65 has been made after a nearby resident talked a woman out of throwing herself off it.

The public-spirited man told Oswaldtwistle county councillor Peter Britcliffe Saturday’s incident was the second time he had intervened to prevent a suicide attempt in two years at the Stanhill Bridge.

The flyover between Junctions five and six near Knuzden has raised safety concerns because of its low handrail since it was built in 1997.

There have been several incidents of individuals threatening to jump off it with one tragically fatal incident in November 2003.

Now Cllr Britcliffe has asked Lancashire County Council highways bosses to look again at the safety of the bridge which carries the B6234 Stanhill Road over the M65.

He wants them to consider installing new fencing to deter those considering jumping from it.

In 1997, then Hyndburn MP Greg Pope and local councillors called for its railings to be raised because of the risk to children playing on the flyover.

In 2000, three police officers talked down a 32-year-old Blackburn man threatening to jump off it.

In 2003, a severely-depressed 27-year-old man from Blackburn died after leaping from the bridge.

In July 2017 concerns were again raised about children climbing on to the flyover.

Cllr Britcliffe said: “This bridge has been a safety concern since it was built more than 20 years ago.

“I was deeply worried when the local resident emailed me to say he had saved a young woman’s life and this was the second time in two years he had performed the same service.

“I have asked the county council to act before we have another tragedy and someone does lose their life by leaping from this bridge or child falls off it onto the M65 below.”

The resident’s email to Cllr Britcliffe tells him: “Today I managed to prevent an attempted suicide on the Stanhill motorway flyover bridge.

“Luckily I was in the right place at the right time.

"The thing is this is the second time I’ve done this.

"The first time was two years ago when a young lad had done the same by climbing over the barriers.

“At present it’s ludicrous, even a child could easily gain access.

“If there was something in place to stop the possibility of anyone climbing over, then if it saved one life surely this is worth considering.”

A spokesman for Lancashire County Council said: “We are aware of the issue raised by the county councillor and will respond in due course.”