THE speed limit is set to be increased to 40 miles per hour on one of the town's busiest roads.

Motorists have been restricted to 30mph on Moss Bank Way near Halliwell Road for several years after it was imposed as a temporary emergency safety measure.

But planners say now controversial road alterations have been made to the ring road there is improved safety and the speed limits can be increased.

"They are almost universally ignored anyway," commented Cllr Peter Johnston, chairman of the council's environment and direct services scrutiny committee.

Cllr Guy Harkin, executive council member for the environment, stressed that safety on Moss Bank Way was not dependant on keeping the speed at 30mph.

"Some of the safest roads are motorways, where you can travel at 70mph," he said.

The committee was examining a report which praised the changes made to Moss Bank Way two years ago, including, most contentiously, the reduction of the dual carriageway section to a single lane in each direction and the introduction of cycle lanes.

Officers carrying out a survey into the effects of the changes say the works, which now prevent overtaking, have led to a 1mph reduction in speed on the carriageway and an average three fewer accidents a year without reducing the amount of traffic carried or increasing delays.

In the 15 years up to 1998 seven people were killed on the road and 47 people seriously injured. But since the improvements were completed there have only been two serious crashes.

While welcoming the accident reduction Cllr Roger Heyes expressed concern that some drivers, not willing to wait in line, are dodging down side roads instead.

Despite assurances from officials that traffic is not being delayed by the reduction in carriageway width, he said local residents believe the changes have forced more traffic on to side roads.

"We need to discourage the use of minor roads that drivers are using to avoid Moss Bank Way," he said.