WORK is set to start across East Lancashire to reduce the number of bridges being hit by lorries too big to fit under them.

Among those earmarked for improvement work is the notorious A666 railway bridge in Langho -- which has been hit eight times in recent years.

County council engineers had blamed a dip in the road under the bridge for misleading lorry drivers into thinking their lorries could get under -- only to find out their lorries spanned the dip and then got lodged under the bridge.

Talks have been ongoing between Railtrack and Lancashire County Council since the last accident in July, when an 18-tonne skip lorry overturned after clipping the bridge, landing near to a footpath used daily by pupils at a nearby primary school.

The accident prompted calls by local councillors for better warnings in front of the bridge.

A number of bridges, owned by Railtrack, have been earmarked for special treatment. The list also includes the railway bridge over Union Road in Church. Like the A666 bridge, when it is hit, severe delays are endured by drivers and train commuters.

Plans are being drawn up to improve lighting, signing and road markings. Bridge facias will also be painted to make them more visible to drivers.

County Councillor Nora Ward, Cabinet Member for Highways and Transportation, said: "Whenever a vehicle hits a bridge it causes disruption and damage. It is clear that action needs to be taken now to avoid further unfortunate incidents."

Detailed proposals for each bridge are still to be confirmed. Initial consultations have taken place with borough councils affected and now letters are being sent out to Parish Councils and Lancashire Police, inviting comments on the schemes.

The bridges to benefit from improvements are: Langho Station Bridge, A666 Whalley New Road, Langho; Whalley Station Bridge, B6246 Station Road, Whalley; Barden Lane Railway Bridge, Barden Lane, Burnley; Marsh Lane Railway Bridge, Marsh Lane, Preston; Lytham Road Railway Bridge, Lytham Road, Preston; Torrisholme Road Railway Bridge, B5321 Torrisholme Road, Lancaster; Church Station Bridge, Market Street, Church & Oswaldtwistle; Coppull Station Bridge, Spendmore Lane, Coppull.

A spokesman for Railtrack said: "Bridge-bashing, as it is called, is a major problem and we are pleased steps are being taken in Lancashire to reduce the problem.

"Not only does it affect roads, when a bridge is hit by a vehicle an inspection of the bridge has to be carried out before trains can pass over it again.

"That can cause a lot of disruption to rail services."