HIGHWAYS chiefs are set to propose a 50mph speed limit on Bolton's cursed "devil's highway" - St Peter's Way. The A666 was given its notorious Satanic nickname partly because of the alarmingly high number of serious crashes on the busy dual carriageway. And highways officials have been planning a package of safety measures to cut the shocking toll of death and injury.

Among proposals to be presented to councillors within the next couple of months are suggestions to impose a 50mph speed limit, with speed cameras and changes to road markings on slip road entries.

More than £100,000 has been allocated for the safety measures in this year's highway capital programme.

Highways chief, Dave Sutton told councillors about the forthcoming proposals shortly after they voted to ban cycling on the road.

He said: "There are proposals by a working party which will come up in the next cycle of meetings and there will be some consideration for 50 mph speed limits."

Councillors banned cycling on the road after a recommendation from a coroner following a death on the road in 1993.

Cllr Guy Harkin said: "I'm frightened of driving on that road, let alone cycling and I think something has to be done to make it safer."

The road has always been dubbed "devil's highway" because 666 is the biblical number of "the Beast" and is thought to have Satanic links.

Councillors believe that because the by-pass is an extension of the motorway, drivers fail to slow down as they head for the town.

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