PENDLE MP Andrew Stephenson has criticised Lancashire County Council for 'failing to take action' against speeding motorists in Reedley and Brierfield.

The MP says that he presented ‘alarming evidence’ of speeding to the county council and that he is regularly contacted by residents who complain about the issue.

Lancashire County Council, however, say that the mean speed in the areas is between 20 and 25mph and the executive member for Highways and Transport denied that he was contacted by the MP.

The council has recently monitored speed in Pennine Way, Reedley Road and Colne Road at the request of Mr Stephenson, who wrote to Lancashire County Council about the issue, and interactive signs have been erected to remind drivers of the relevant speed limit.

Lancashire County Council and Lancashire Police monitored the traffic in these areas on Friday, September 19.

They told the Lancashire Telegraph that on that evening, they stopped 21 motorists for speeding and seatbelt offences.

Mr Stephenson said “Brierfield and Reedley residents have been alarmed about speeding on residential roads for some time and working with County Councillor Christian Wakeford I have taken up these concerns on their behalf.

"Sadly Labour run Lancashire County Council have failed to take action on this issue despite being presented with some quite alarming evidence of speeding on roads like Colne Road through Brierfield and Reedley.

"I am therefore encouraged to see action from our local police, who have focused on the roads which residents brought to my attention. I hope this focus will continue and I hope that Lancashire County Council look again at the widespread concern in the area.”

Coun John Fillis, Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, said: "MP Andrew Stephenson and County Councillor Christian Wakeford have never contacted me regarding speeding motorists in Brierfield and Reedley. Lancashire County Council (LCC) officers have supplied the police with intelligence information to enable the police, working with the local community PACT's, to develop and target enforcement through the very successful strategy of "Community Road Watch" within the area of Brierfield and Reedley.

“It is important to remind MP Stephenson and Coun Wakeford that the last Conservative administration at LCC did not leave a single penny for road safety, while the Conservative Government has cut £300,000,000 out of LCC's current budget. Why did they not speak up when they had the chance?”