DRIVERS using a dangerous rat-run in front of Accrington Town Hall will be blitzed by police until a solution is found.

Plans are in the pipeline to stop cars driving in the area, which is officially closed to all traffic except buses.

Police have been either warning of the dangers or handing out a fixed penalty notice.

Today they revealed that the clampdown would carry on until an engineering solution was found.

Work has been agreed in principle by the county council, which is looking at the details of a possible scheme.

One idea is for traffic lights to be set up along the stretch of Blackburn Road which would only allow buses through on a bus lane. Work could start within a few months.

PC David Dunn of Accrington police has been in charge of the blitz on drivers. He revealed today that the police are using a three-pronged approach involving education, enforcement and engineering to solve the problem.

He said: "Several drivers have been stopped. Because of the police presence the education part of things has been quite successful.

"Over the last two months there has been a degree of enforcement. That is going to continue up until the engineering is in place."

Meetings between the borough council and county council will look at ways to stop unwanted traffic using the rat-run. No dates has been set but are expected to be within a month. Work could start soon afterwards.

Council leader, Peter Britcliffe, said: "My concern is that people consider that part of Blackburn Road a pedestrian area, so aren't aware cars may come hurtling through. I've seen some near misses."

Regeneration director for Hyndburn Council, Nigel Rix, said earlier this year he hoped a solution would be found soon.

He added that it could mean moving the bus station.

"We hope to then find a permanent solution, making it safer," he said.