ROAD accidents on the notorious Grane Road between Haslingden and Blackburn have decreased by 72 per cent, due in part to a Lancashire Evening Telegraph campaign.

From April to October this year there were only five accidents, compared to 33 in the same time period in 1999.

PC Gary Makin, of the road policing unit at Accrington, said: "This is due to a joint effort by the local authority, police and the campaign in the Lancashire Evening Telegraph."

The Lancashire Evening Telegraph championed the residents of Grane Road who have campaigned for years for safety measures on the busy moorland route.

Last year the speed limit on the road was reduced to 50mph, new signs were introduced and lorries on the M65 and A56 Haslingden by-pass were signposted away from the route, which was being used as a short-cut. In addition, the white lines on the road were repainted.

PC Makin added: "People are taking more care on that road now and I would say the manner in which it is being driven on has improved."

He said police held speed checks on the road and, although they still caught people exceeding the 50mph limit, there were not as many as last year. In addition, drivers had remarked on the highly visible signs which have been placed at both the Haslingden and Blackburn ends of the road, which list the number of accidents in 1999.

The Grane Road figures are part of a larger picture of reductions in the number of casualties and accidents across hot spot roads in the Pennine police division. Inspector Dave Shepherd, head of Pennine Divisions Road Policing Unit, said: "By concentrating our efforts on hot spot roads -- roads where statistics show accidents are most likely to occur -- we have been able to make a significant impact.

"The total reduction in casualties this year is 25 per cent with the greatest reduction being on the Grane.

"We are delighted with the results which mean that far fewer people have had to endure the sort of injuries and upset caused by being involved in a road traffic accident. However there is no room for complacency.

"Working in partnership with local authorities and other community partners we must now build on the good work already underway to ensure that road casualties in Pennine Division plummet even further.

"This is especially important during the run up to the festive season, hence our drink-drive campaign, high profile patrols and spot-checks."