RESIDENTS in Blackrod have finally won their battle for traffic lights at an accident blackspot.

Over the past three years, 17 people have been injured in 11 accidents at the A6 Blackrod by-pass junction with Manchester Road.

Residents have been campaigning for years and in 2003 handed a 1,000-signature petition to MP Ruth Kelly. Blackrod town councillors have been lobbying Bolton Council to improve the junction since the 1970s.

Now the council is investing £240,000 to improve the junction and the three-month roadworks were due to start today.

John Timms, Blackrod Residents' Association chairman, said: "This is excellent news. We have been campaigning for far too long about the problems."

In April, 2005, a policeman was taken to hospital after the police car he was travelling in was in a crash with two other vehicles at the junction.

In October, 2005, Eileen Ruxton, aged 51, of Alderbank Close, Horwich, was killed when her car hit a tree near the Ridgeway Arms pub - a few hundred yards past the junction.

Blackrod town councillor John Seddon said: "I have been involved with this campaign for eight years and we are delighted that something is finally being done."

A council spokesman said: "Temporary traffic lights will be installed and there may be occasions when there are temporary road closures.

"Unfortunately, severe delays are expected. It is expected the long-term safety benefits of the scheme will outweigh any temporary disruption."

For details, motorists can call the helpline on 01204 336677.