THE speed limit on two Wilpshire ‘rat run’ roads is set to be lowered following a long running campaign.

In May, residents called on Lancashire County Council to lower the speed limit on Knowsley Road West and Beech Close after a number of concerns were raised over the past year.

The roads, which connect with the A666 and Ribchester Road, were not included in the county council’s 20mph limit residential scheme in 2011 but the parish council was later told they would be included in phase five.

However, that phase was halted pending a review of the performance of existing schemes, with the outcome still to be announced.

Earlier this year County Coun Alan Schofield again raised the possibility with the council for a speed reduction and called for a meeting with County Coun John Fillis, cabinet member for highways and transport. Now a scheme has been approved as part of a wider £10,000 project across the county.

The council's director of transport and environment Mike Kirby said he had ‘recognised the case for a scheme and it could be advanced subject to available funding’.

Coun Schofield said: “This shows that persistence can pay off over time when there is a good case on behalf of and supported by the local community.”

Wilpshire Parish Council has also welcomed the news.