A borough's deputy leader has urged highway bosses to consider cutting the speed limit on parts of the M65 at night as part of a safety review. Hyndburn Council's Cllr Noordad Aziz made the call as the authority's Full Council unanimously passed a motion on the issue on Thursday night. He had proposed the safety audit of the motorway's accident record with a view to improving its precautions to prevent any repeat of the recent spate of deaths and injuries.
The motion, seconded by Rishton's Cllr Kate Walsh, said: "This council resolves to write to National Highways and Lancashire County Council to request an urgent review of the general safety of the M65 motorway. Cllr Noordad Aziz made the call "Given the frequency of recent accidents, this review should aim to enhance overall road safety, reduce accident risks, and ensure the well-being of all road users." Recent incidents on the M65 include: one fatality and five severe injuries after a three-car crash at junction nine; the death of a horse and four people being injured after a crash between junction eight and junction 10; the death of a 32-year-old woman in an accident in May between junctions two and three near Preston; a crash on the westbound carriageway between junction three and junction two; and the closure of the motorway between junction four for Blackburn and five for Guide following a crash.
Cllr Aziz told the meeting: "This is an issue that affects not just the Hyndburn community but anyone who travels the M65. .