Speed limit to be cut on danger road
LOCAL councillors are delighted after their campaign to lower the speed limit on Lathom Road was successful.
Following a safety review put forward by county councillor David Westley and borough councillor Eddie Pope, who both represent the area, Lancashire County Council Highways and Lancashire police have agreed to take forward a reduction in the speed limit.
The highways department has agreed to reduce the speed limit from 60mph to 40mph on a derestricted part of the A5209 between Lathom and Newburgh known as Lowry Hill Lane and Course Lane.
Cllr David Westley said: “I am grateful to the Advertiser for reporting my campaign back in September and the resultant public support that this generated.
“LCC Highways agreed to a safety inspection and the decision, supported by the police, to take forward a reduced speed limit.
“This stretch of road has a poor safety record, including a fatal accident earlier this year.
“The reduced limit now has to be advertised and, following the required period for comments, will be implemented by early summer next year.”
A young motorcyclist was killed on the road in July this year.
The accident took place on a stretch of road that is heavily lined with hedges.
The 20-year-old man was found with multiple injuries close to Tawd Vale Scout campsite on Course Lane and pronounced dead at the scene.
Officers believe the man had been riding a Yamaha motorbike eastbound on Course Lane when the vehicle collided with a lorry travelling in the opposite direction.
One resident, Brian Thomas, who lives in Sandy Lane, Newburgh, said that the sharp bends on the road were not able to allow two articulated lorries to pass without extreme difficulty and danger to drivers and passengers.
Clare and Chris Harland live at Rose Farm Cottage, near the Tawd Vale Scout camp.
They agreed that the speed limit of 60mph should be lowered and hoped the council would intervene.
They said: “It is very dangerous to all road users, be they pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists or if they are in cars, vans or HGVs. The sooner the matter is taken to the Secretary of State for the road to be derestricted and the limit made 40mph, the better.”