IMPROVED signs will be placed on a Ribble Valley road after a new speed camera was put right in front of a warning sign about a speed limit change- partially obscuring it.

The camera was installed on the A59 Longsight Road in Osbaldeston, blocking the sign warning motorists that the speed limit had been changed from 40mph to 30mph.

Dozens of motorists who travel along the road regularly were caught out and received fines as they did not see the sign for the speed limit change until they had gone past the speed camera.

Now county hall chiefs have confirmed that the warning sign will be moved to a more "prominent" location.

People will be able to appeal tickets but it is currently unclear whether they will be successful as the camera complies with Department of Transport guidelines.

David Birtwistle, whose wife and three friends were given fixed penalty notices, said: "All of them were travelling below 40mph, assuming that they were obeying the old limit on this section of the road.

"On the night my wife got flashed, herself and three other drivers pulled over and swapped details as they assumed the speed camera to be faulty.

"The following day I went to inspect the area, only to discover the speed limit had been changed, without any prior warning signs until after the solitary 30mph sign and speed camera.

"To add insult to injury, the warning sign about the new speed limit is placed after the speed camera and just near to the end of where the new 30mph zone finishes.” Rachel Pearce, who was caught out twice called for the signs to be changed.

She said: "If there had been sufficient signs to remind me of the change then I am sure that I would not have incurred these penalties."

The speed limit in Longsight Road was reduced on October 22, following a review of speed limits on all A and B roads within Lancashire.

Peter Bell, senior engineer at the Lancashire Partnership for Road Safety, said: "The signage we have put up on Longsight Road complies with Department of Transport guidelines.

"However, we recognise that changes to speed limits can cause confusion and are looking at moving the temporary warning sign to a more prominent position before the camera."