A NOTORIOUS 'rat run' looks set to get a safety makeover in the new year following a long-standing campaign by councillors.

Chorley's Devonshire Road is to have more than £19,000 spent on it in a bid to calm traffic and make it easier to cross. Safety chiefs and county councillors are expected to rubber-stamp the plans at a meeting next February.

Campaigners are blaming the closure of Market Street for the build-up of traffic on the town centre side street.

Borough councillor Ralph Snape, a member of the traffic regulation committee, said: "We can put forward proposals which we, Chorley Borough Council, have done. It has to be financed by Lancashire County Council which can only come on stream in next year's budget."

He said he met with county councillor Vincent Murphy, and Harold Rimmer, from the Disability Forum. "We have looked at many things that can help, and they have gone to Lancashire County Council for approval," he said.

County councillor Vincent Murphy added: "Everyone accepts that there is a problem with traffic on Devonshire Road, but the money will hopefully be there in the new year."

A Lancashire County Council spokesperson confirmed that the Devonshire Road traffic calming plans have been received and will be considered at a meeting in February.