SIGNS warning motorists of the dangers of the Grane Road have been erected, but Belthorn residents still fear accidents may continue.

Scarlet signs telling motorists to slow down and beware of hazardous bends have been put up at the Haslingden and Blackburn ends of the notorious road this week.

Speed camera warning notices and signs reading "72 accidents in last 5 years" have also been put up as a package of road safety measures, which also include speed reductions.

Speed limits have been cut from 60mph to 50mph along the whole road, and to 40mph along the section passing the Pack Horse Italian restaurant and Kendal Row, Belthorn.

But Belthorn residents believe more measures may be needed before the road is safe, especially in the Kendal Row area.

Vehicles frequently overtake on the long, straight section of road near Kendal Row and residents are concerned that motorists may still be unaware of the number of houses nearby.

Elizabeth Banyard, of the Belthorn Residents' Association, said: "People get aggravated when they are following wagons up the hill and then they can see along the stretch of road past the Pack Horse.

"Often, local people get cars overtaking as they are trying to turn right to the houses on either side.

"I hope the 40mph limit will help to stop that, but I think because the majority of properties are off the road, motorists don't realise it's a built up area." Mrs Banyard would like to see more signs warning motorists and possibly more Traffic calming measures in the future, depending on how successful the new measures prove.

She said: "We will just have to monitor it and see if it has an impact. There has been a much greater police presence in the last four months and I think that has helped.

"We are grateful for that, and we are very grateful to the Telegraph too for the impact the publicity has had."

Traffic on the Grane Road increased enormously when the M65 extension opened, turning the road into a rat run between the A56, Haslingden and the M65, Guide.

Blackburn college students Joseph Slupski and Gareth Edwards were killed when their car collided with a lorry close to the Grey Mare pub in October.

Biker Stephen John Kelly died in 1998 when he lost control on a bend next to the Rossendale boundary.

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