CURSED St Peter's Way really is Bolton's "devil's highway" ... and that's official.

Highways chiefs have revealed that the A666 road does have an alarmingly high rate of serious crashes.

They are now planning a £300,000 package of safety measures to cut the shocking toll of death and injury.

Speed restrictions - enforced with video cameras - could also be brought in if the council is successful with its bid for Government cash.

Plans for the busy dual carriageway include improvements to slip roads where most of the crashes occur.

The road has always been dubbed "devil's highway" because the number 666 is thought to have Satanic links. Labour Cllr Guy Harkin said at a highways sub committee meeting yesterday: "There does seem to be an accident in the papers virtually every night."

Mr Dave Sutton, head of highway planning said: "There is evidence that this is a particularly dangerous road and it will form our case when we put in our bid to fund this."

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

Cllr Jack Foster, planning and environment committee chairman, said: "Sheer speed is the key to this. We have to get the message across that they cannot come into this town travelling at such speed."

A report detailing the statistics is expected to be presented to planning and environment councillors shortly. If approved, the council will put in a bid for the cash to the Government later this year.

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