Speed slashed on 'death road' in Lancashire
The speed limit on one of the main routes into Preston is to be slashed by 20mph after two deaths.
Highways chiefs at County Hall want to cut traffic speed on the A59 to 30mph and 50mph between Penwortham and Longton.
But today, campaigners claimed the proposals did not go far enough to improve safety.
Dave Bennett from the Penwortham Bypass Action Group said: "We will be objecting to the speed reduction because it doesn't go down far enough.
"The speed review that was undertaken in 2008 should be undertaken again.
"They should be introducing a 50mph limit from as far away as where the San Marco restaurant (in Much Hoole) is.
"Then from Saunder's Lane it should be 30mph all the way to Penwortham."
Hutton resident Eric Tattersall, who lives in Ratten Lane, said: "I can't see there being any major objections.
"It could be a help but I'm not sure safety-wise.
"People will still be tempted to put their foot down."
The plans will see the speed reduced in Liverpool Road outside Howick CE Primary School, through to the junction of the Longton Bypass and Chapel Lane.
Liverpool Road between Howick Moor Lane and the Hutton roundabout is currently 50mph, reduced to 40mph when local schoolchildren cross the road.
The bypass is national speed limit – 70mph – between Hutton roundabout and Much Hoole.
David Johnson, 46, was struck by a BMW as he crossed near the police headquarters in Hutton.
The computer analyst from Kirkham, near Preston, was out jogging when he was killed in January 2009. And cyclist Eileen Fletcher, 65, from Stone Croft in Penwortham, died in December 2006 as she cycled across the dual carriageway.
An inquest at Preston Coroner's Court was told how poor lighting and trees planted in the central reservation may have obscured her view as she tried to cross.
Rachel Crompton, assistant area manager at Lancashire County Council, said: "We are proposing to reduce the speed limits on stretches of the A59 Liverpool Road and Longton bypass, following a countywide review of speed limits on all A and B roads in Lancashire.
"The reductions also reflect the views of the Lancashire Local South Ribble, and local safety concerns about traffic speeds on these roads.
"The new limits will reduce the potential for accidents and increase journey safety."
* Anyone wishing to comment should write to Lancashire County Council's highways department before Tuesday April 6.
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Weather for Preston
Thursday 29 July 2010
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