TRAFFIC lights are the only way to solve problems at a dangerous crossroads, a Pendle county councillor has claimed.

Shelagh Derwent, who represents Pendle West, which includes Fence and Pendleside, on Lancashire County Council, said a friend of hers had been involved in an accident at Four Lane Ends, Brierfield, and she knew of many elderly people who were afraid to cross the road at the busy junction.

"In my opinion traffic lights are the only option to solve the problem," she told Pendle Council's Brierfield and Reedley area committee.

Another option is a roundabout but despite a visit to the junction yesterday by county council highways boss Richard Toon neither looks set to get the go ahead in the foreseeable future. That is mainly due to the costs of £30,000 and beyond involved. Four Lane Ends, where Halifax Road, Walverden Road, Kings Causeway and Higher Reedley Road meet, has become busier since road humps were put down in nearby Reedley Road with drivers now opting to use Halifax Road.

Councillors predict traffic would increase further in the next few years as dozens of new homes are built in the area.

Coun Allan Buck said: "We've got a situation that we all know is a big problem and it's going to get worse because of all the new development that will happen."

If a roundabout or traffic lights are eventually agreed then highways engineers will have to get over the problem of drivers coming from Burnley at speed over the brow of the hill by the Marsden Cross pub and having to brake sharply to avoid colliding with unseen traffic queuing at the junction.

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