EAST Lancashire's notorious Grane Road has been dubbed a Scotland to Yorkshire rat-run by campaigning residents.

Tony Hodbod of the Grane Residents' Association, spoke out after the latest accident, which closed the road on Wedsnesday morning.

Earlier this year, new signs were erected directing lorries heading for Blackburn to continue along the A56 instead of turning off on to Grane Road.

But Mr Hodbod, who lives near Haslingden Cemetery, said: "Grane Road is now part of a national trunk road network.

"I have often seen the names and number plates of lorries and the road is now used as a Scotland to Yorkshire route because it cuts out the dog's leg of the M62."

He added that until heavy goods vehicle restrictions are applied to the road it will be used as a rat-run by large vehicles and lorries.

"This is a public highway and everyone can use it. It's available to all. There is no question as to whether lorries can or can't use it, because it's situated between two motorways. It's the obvious choice for lorries. But, I have to say, this should never have been allowed to happen. "All of the traffic is under pressure and everyone is trying to go as fast as they can. They all believe that they are special cases."

He believes the 50mph speed limit imposed on a major stretch of Grane Road has cut the number of accidents, but said that he would have to see statistics as evidence.

Rossendale Borough and Lancashire County Councillor Robert Wilkinson added: "There is no doubt that the number of lorries has increased since the opening of the motorway roundabout. Grane Road is being used as a short cut, but this is not something that has happened over the last few months. It cuts off about eight miles.

"This is not an easy problem to solve though. One suggestion was to stop HGVs coming off the slip road in Haslingden, but that meant that they would have to go through the town centre."

Coun Wilkinson added that the traffic-calming measures seem to have cut the number of accidents, but the road is constantly under review by the county council.

"The police presence and the stories in the newspaper have made people more aware. One thing I have suggested to the county council is putting up an updated sign saying the number of accidents and fatalities to remind people that it is a dangerous road," he said.

A spokesman for Lancashire Constabulary said that there has been no real rise in the amount of lorries on the road, but that the Lancashire Evening Telegraph's high-profile Stop the Carnage Grane Road campaign had heightened people's awareness. He added that police will continue to patrol the road and use speed cameras.