A CLAMPDOWN on speeding motorists along a Bolton accident blackspot has slashed the number of crashes and injuries by up to 60 per cent it has been revealed.

Statistics show that since a 50 mile an hour speed limit was enforced on St Peter's Way the number of smashes and resultant casualties have been more than halved.

The figures -- a comparison of the first six months of 2000 with an average for the four previous years -- reveal crashes are down by 60 per cent and there were 57 per cent fewer injuries.

Now police chiefs and town hall bosses are hailing as a success the introduction of the new speed limit on the busy Bolton by-pass, which was formerly a national speed limit zone.

Insp Duncan Grundy said: "This substantial reduction in road casualties is a clear indication that a 50 mile an hour speed limit is more appropriate for this road section. It's pleasing to see the imposition of the speed limits and the enforcement carried out by the police has had such positive results with many potential injuries being prevented."

The £400,000 safety scheme for the A666 was introduced in January, with the council imposing the slower speed limit and erecting five cameras to trap speeding motorists.

work was also carried out to lengthen slip roads -- identified as one of the major causes of past accidents -- to improve safety.

Now council bosses are to analyse the latest information, collated by police officers at Bolton Traffic Unit, to see if similar schemes could be introduced elsewhere in the borough.

A highways spokesman said: "We're very pleased with these figures. The traffic problems seemed to have diminished by a greater percentage but it's still early days yet and things can fluctuate. The amount of barrier damage that was caused along the carriageway when motorists would just drive away leaving the council to foot the bill will also hopefully be reduced, so saving money."

And today police chiefs warned "camera-hoppers" -- those motorists who race off between the speed cameras -- to be extra vigilant.

Traffic officers in unmarked cars are patrolling the dual carriageway to catch the speed merchants who think they may be able to flout the law.

The safety measures were introduced as the council and police continue to work to meet Government targets to reduce road accident casualties. Government statistics reveal that 10 people a day die in road accidents, with 1,000 people a year killed in crashes where drivers were speeding.

And safety experts also praised the huge drop-off in accidents along St Peter's Way

A spokesman for the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents said: "It's very encouraging that the accident reduction seen on this stretch of road is in line with Government targets.

"It's vital drivers stick to sensible speed limits. It could be the difference between life and death."