THE green light has been given to cut the speed limit to 40mph at an accident blackspot on the A6 near Blackrod. Campaigners were celebrating after winning their 17-year battle to get speed restrictions imposed. The notorious junction of Manchester Road and the Blackrod by-pass - now called De Havilland Way - has seen one accident a week, says Blackrod mayor John Monaghan.

The Bolton borough councillor added: "I am delighted we have finally got something which might make a difference.

"Blackrod Town Council has been fighting to get the speed limit reduced for many years."

He said he would have liked to have seen traffic lights being installed.

Campaigners will wait to see what effect the new restrictions have before deciding to press for further action.

The current speed limit is 60mph.

Cameras will be put up to enforce the new restrictions.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.