SPEEDING motorists and lorries being directed to drive through Whitewell by SatNav systems are putting people's lives at risk, according to local residents.

Two residents' associations have handed over a petition to the leader of Lancashire County Council in a bid to improve road safety particularly along Burnley Road East.

The groups, from the Edgeside and Bridleway areas of the ward, are particularly concerned about speeding motorists and heavy goods vehicles.

Brenda Everill, chairman of the Bridleway and District Residents'Association, said: "SatNav systems are directing more and more heavy lorries to come down Burnley Road East.

"This is causing parking problems as well as the obvious safety worries, particularly at the Turnpike junction which is already an accident hotspot. We want to have a weight limit placed on the road."

The Edgeside and District Residents' Association also want traffic calming measures and is campaigning for a 20mph speed limit to be extended to Edgeside Lane, parallel to Burnley Road East.

Resident and mum-of-three Amanda Morris said: "I don't like my children walking along the road on their own, because the pavement is very narrow and cars just race up and down it. Somebody will be badly hurt before long."

Both associations have the backing of ward councillor Amanda Robertson.

Coun Robertson said: "These problems are well known, most people in the community are concerned by them. The residents brought petitions to the newly-formed Waterfoot Forward group, and almost everybody signed it. The support is very strong for traffic calming measures."

The issue affects a lot of people because Burnley Road East stretches through a number of communities - Waterfoot, Newchurch, Edgeside, Bridleway, Whitewell Bottom, Lumb and Water.

County council leader Hazel Harding said: "We encourage community feedback like this. Local concern is something we take very seriously.

"We do have criteria for looking at road safety which obviously includes looking at how many accidents there are, but we also now take into account public concern, so petitions really can make a difference.

"Just because there are not many serious accidents on a road, does not mean that it is not a cause for concern for residents."

Coun Harding said that the petitions have been passed on to the county's cabinet member for highways and transport, Coun Terry Martin.