CAMPAIGNERS are celebrating today after their two-year battle for safety measures led to a £100,000 traffic calming scheme.

Plans to reduce problems in the Avenue Parade area of Accrington include the introduction of road humps and 20mph zones, although proposals to bring in waiting restrictions have been put on hold after residents raised concerns.

The announcement by County Hall traffic chiefs comes after two years of campaigning by Hyndburn ward councillor and county councillor Wendy Dwyer who was already campaigning for action on the road when she was involved in a minor accident on Avenue Parade in 2001.

She said: "This has been a long battle but I am very pleased the scheme is going ahead.

"It is not going to solve everything but it is going to help."

Part of the problem, she said, was that drivers pulling out from side streets on to Avenue Parade could not see oncoming traffic because of cars parked on the sides of the road.

Original plans for the traffic scheme included proposals for 10 metre-long yellow lines to run from junctions with Avenue Parade, Water Street and Stanley Street but it was estimated that 300 parking spaces could have been lost under those plans.

During public consultation a series of meetings were held and although responses showed that the majority of local people were keen to have something done about road safety through the introduction of 20mph areas and road humps, the issue of yellow lines to prevent parking at junctions was a problem.

Almost 60 letters were received, raising concerns, along with a petition opposing the restrictions.

Now the scheme is set to go ahead with just speed bumps and 20mph zones to slow down traffic.

Coun Dwyer said: "The proposals, which include speed bumps, are very welcome because the residents have been crying out for them.

"I live in that particular area and am aware of the problems faced by residents and motorists driving through.

"Obviously safety comes first but it is a question of getting the balance right so the waiting restrictions have been put on hold for now.

"If we do have to impose them at a later date, each junction will be looked at individually as some have more accidents than others.

"I will be looking forward to seeing what results we get and hopefully we will see a big improvement."