TWO accident blackspots in Burnley have been targeted for £45,000 traffic calming schemes, following an official study of the area.

Senior Lancashire county council engineers were called to investigate traffic conditions in the Lowerhouse Lane, Gannow Lane and Sycamore Avenue areas of town following numerous accidents in the area and complaints from residents an local county councillors.

They found two main clusters of accidents occurred in Lowerhouse Lane between Berridge Avenue and Gannow Lane where there had been ten personal injury accidents -- five involving child pedestrians.

Another ten were recorded at Gannow Lane between Sycamore Avenue and Cavalry Way roundabout, four involving children.

Now the officers are recommending traffic-calming action to reduce accidents and prevent small roads in the area becoming dangerous short cuts. At Gannow they are recommending 20mph zones, building out the Gannow Lane crossing, moving Give Way signs to give better sight lines, and additional pedestrian guardrails as well as creating sheltered parking for residents in the blackspot areas. The report says bus cushions and bus-friendly flat-topped humps should also be provided in the district.

Burnley county councillor Tony Martin who campaigned with colleague County Coun Irene Roberts for the study today welcomed the report but said it was only the first step in winning real improvements.

"These proposals are to be put forward for consideration for submission to next year's improvement programme.

"We need to keep up the pressure to have them implemented."

CC Mrs Roberts added: "Residents will know I have been pressing for traffic calming in the area for some time.

"The proposals go a long way to reducing accidents in the area and improving the quality of life of local residents."