CONCERNED residents have slammed highways chiefs for delays to a road safety scheme, fearing someone could be killed.

Folk living on the busy A6 Preston Road in Clayton-le-Woods are still waiting for the work to be completed -- almost a year after being told the improvement scheme was to begin.

In January Lancashire County Council contacted residents informing them that the scheme -- to enhance pedestrian safety and prevent accidents on the A6 -- was to get under way.

The letter said pedestrian refuge islands on the road would be provided. But so far only cables have been laid under the road and no islands have been constructed.

Retired Norman Dean, of Preston Road, said: "I have rung them about it three times and every time I just keep on getting fobbed off. We want some answers. They say it will be done next month but nothing happens."

George Butler, another resident of Clayton-le-Woods, said: "There seems to be road safety for every village but ours.

"We are one of the most congested places in the area outside Chorley but when it comes to road safety we are not on the map." In response a county council spokesman said: "The work on installing the road traffic islands was delayed firstly by there being road maintenance on the road in question and then by objections to the situation of the islands by residents on the road.

"This problem then had to go back to the council for discussion."

The poor quality lighting was a result of an error by the suppliers of the street lights to Chorley Council when less powerful lamps, which should be used for pelican crossings not street lights, were supplied.

Councillor Eric Bell, Conservative leader on Chorley Borough Council who raised the issue earlier in the year, said: "We need something to be done about it sooner rather than later because as far as I am concerned it is urgent."

"It is a dangerous situation, we have had bus drivers missing bus stops and dark patches between the lights mean that unless pedestrians are wearing reflective clothing they will be difficult to see.

"I have had quite a number of complaints about it."

Andy Goodfellow, the borough council's head of engineering and transportation, said the lighting problem was the fault of the supplier who has since agreed to replace the lights free of charge.

He said: "They have already provided fourteen of the lights which have been fitted.

"The remainder which come from Holland are due in the next week and will be fitted as soon as possible.

"The lights are not dangerous, but are not up to the normal standard."

But until action is taken Mr Dean remains concerned.

"It is a very fast road, so if something is not done soon a serious accident is a definite possibility," he said.