COUNTY council chiefs have pledge to pump £267,000 into a series of local safety schemes in a bid to cut accidents on the county's roads.

A total of 13 local schemes have been given the green light, including three in Preston and a further three in Chorley.

The new measures form part of the county council's 1999/2000 Local Safety Schemes Programme. Work on the projects is due to be completed by next summer.

In Preston, cash has been earmarked to provide road humps in Manor House Lane, in order to cut traffic speeds and improve safety for all road users in the area, a residential part of Holme Slack.

Also it is hoped that a traffic island on the eastbound approach at the traffic lights of the Blackpool Road and Tulketh Road junction, together with alterations to road markings and a straight ahead and right-hand turn lane, will improve safety at this busy Lane Ends point.

Finally, county councillors have pledged to stop right hand turns from the side roads between Blackpool Road and Glenluce Drive and to introduce new road markings and right turn facilities. Committee chairman county councillor Richard Toon, said: "I am aware that there are many sites across the county still requiring treatment.

"The county council are committed to improving safety on the roads band we will continue to press for more funds for this important work."

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