THE success of 20 mph zones in Lancashire is set to be reviewed next year, before a decision is taken to introduce any more.

Some 70 areas across Lancashire have been designated low-speed zones over the last two years by Lancashire County Council.

The second phase of zones, which target estate roads, are currently being introduced.

Last month, parts of the Ribble Valley and Hyndburn joined the scheme, while areas of Burnley had their limits dropped this week.

Over the next month, ones in Hapton, Padiham and Chorley will be introduced.

A county council spokesman said: "We will continue to work with district councils to find suitable areas for 20mph zones, but we will be reviewing how successful the existing ones have been.

"The new ones coming on stream at the moment are those which lend themselves naturally to low speeds. The remainder, coming in force over the next couple of months, do require some Traffic-calming to slow traffic down.

"It is important these zones are respected by drivers."

So far, they have been funded by district, county and government cash.

The 20 mph zones are designed to work on 'peer pressure,' with those speeding through pedestrian-priority areas seen as being anti-social.

Traffic-calming measures are also introduced.

County Councillor Nora Ward, Lancashire County Council's cabinet member for highways and transportation, said: "Our aim is to make Lancashire a safer place for all road users and I am confident that the action we take now will bring real rewards in the future.

"People across the county have been calling for 20 mph limits in their communities because experience has shown that slower traffic brings greater safety."

The new zones came on line in Burnley on Monday. They include: Aspen Drive, Applecross Drive, The Moorings, Longton Road, The Meadows/ Spinney, Foxcroft, Sweet Clough Lane, Rochester Drive, Allerton Drive, Bevington Close and Lisbon Drive.

In Hapton, Leigh Park and Lancaster Drive will be affected, while the skids will put on drivers in Town Hill Bank, Padiham.

Others in Chorley take affect from Monday. They include Tootell St, Shaftesbury Place and Greyheights View.

There are no new schemes in Pendle, Rossendale or Hyndburn and Ribble Valley because their schemes went live earlier this year.