HUNDREDS of residents in a local village have petitioned council bosses to increase safety on a busy stretch of road.

People in Clayton-le-Woods, backed by local councillors, are concerned about speeding traffic and the lack of a pavement at Sandy Lane bridge.

Coun Simon Jones, said: "We have seen some progress in the Clayton area, with a new lollipop patrol on the A6 near Fiddler's Lane after a long campaign by parents and the Parish Council.

"The Parish Council also helped to fund the traffic island near the Beaumont pub. Let's hope the authorities take heed of this issue at Sandy Lane bridge before there is a tragic accident."

Steve Fenn, the Liberal Democrat candidate for the local elections, organised the petition earlier in the year.

He said: "The chief executive of Lancashire County Council has promised us that he will look into the points raised and will let us have a detailed reply as soon as possible.

"Officers from Chorley Borough Council drew up a possible scheme last year but Labour turned it down. Local residents are hoping that the County Council will take a fresh approach."

One option which residents want considered is one-way priority for traffic coming up hill, allowing space for a pavement or bollards to protect pedestrians.

Steve Fenn added: "This bridge was built about a hundred years ago when there were just a handful of houses on Chorley Old Road.

"Now, there are huge estates and more being built all the time. It's unacceptable in this day and age to have such a busy bridge without a safe pedestrian facility."

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