THE case for putting a ban on heavy lorries using the Grane Road between Blackburn and Rossendale has been proved.

After years of campaigning for safety improvements on the notorious accident blackspot, residents were thrilled when they were promised before Christmas that a ban would be put in place.

Such a move would stop lorries taking the moorland route as a short cut between motorways where their presence has been blamed for accidents caused by impatient car drivers trying to overtake without proper visibility.

But today we hear that the ban will be delayed for months because of "to-ing and fro-ing" over who is to pay the estimated £7000 for the signs to enforce it.

Lancashire County Council is waiting for the Highways Agency to pay up but they say they cannot afford to until at least the next financial year which begins in April.

The 18-month trial ban on heavy goods vehicles has been agreed because it is believed it will save lives.

Now people may die or be maimed in the coming months simply because two enormous organisations cannot get their act together and find a few thousand pounds for some signs.

This is an appalling state of affairs.