Petition launched after fatal collision on Pole Lane, Darwen

The push for action comes after the death of 44-year-old man Sion Chaisty at the weekend, who was hit by a Renault Clio on Saturday.

Shannon Lord, 19, from Darwen, hopes that having a camera installed would ‘make drivers think’ and get behind any action that ‘prevents more tragedy’.

She said: “I have friends and family who live on Pole Lane and the thought of one day receiving that phone call no one wants is haunting.

“It could be any one of us from the town, but hopefully if we push through this we can stop any further tragedies.

“Even with the current speed calming islands, people are still being careless while driving.

“I’ve started the petition to either get a speed camera or speed bumps put in on Pole Lane, to hopefully make drivers think of themselves and others.

“There are speed bumps on all the surrounding roads, so it makes no sense to me why there aren't any on Pole Lane."

Blackburn with Darwen Council regeneration boss Cllr Phil Riley: "Our stance would be that before we rush into potential solutions we need to understand the exact cause of this particular incident.

"The police have been investigating it and at some stage they will conclude their investigations, and will share those details with us, at which point we'll take some appropriate consideration of them."

• Family tribute to 'thoughtful and compassionate' man who died after being hit by car

Cllr Paul Browne, of Darwen East ward at Blackburn with Darwen Council, said of the petition: “It’s long overdue. Some use that road like a racing track.

“The sooner we get a camera or speed bumps on that road, the better. Now someone’s had a fatal accident there, we should act right away.

“It’s terrible. People use it as a rat-run and they go flying down there.

“I’m all in favour of the young lady’s petition.”

The driver of the Renault, a 24-year-old man from Blackburn, was arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving and drink driving. He was later arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving. The man has been released under investigation.

Police are appealing for information and witnesses.

The petition has been signed by more than 200 people at the time of writing, and is titled ‘Speed Awareness on Pole Lane’ on the change.org website.