Commissioner responds after motorway review plea

Local politicians have called for a safety review of the M65 in Lancashire

Lancashire's police and crime commissioner has pledged to make safety a "priority" after calls for an urgent review of a motorway hit by several fatalities and other serious crashes.

Councillors said two people had died and nine people suffered serious injuries in collisions on the M65 between Preston and Colne during 2024.

Councillor Mick Strickland, who also works for Lancashire Fire & Rescue Service and has worked at collision scenes, said lighting and flooding had been among contributing factors.

Police and Crime Commissioner Clive Grunshaw said he would continue to work with police and other authorities to step up safety along the route.

Councillors in Pendle, Burnley and Hyndburn have called for a safety review, saying that National Highways were considering the removal of the remaining lighting on the M65.

Former Lancashire traffic police officer Paul Brooks also claimed such motorways were not policed properly because of financial pressures.

Clive Grunshaw (second from right) said dangerous driving was a "huge concern for our communities"

National Highways, which is in charge of the motorway between Cuerden and Burnley, with Lancashire County Council responsible for the section up to Colne, have said that "safety is our top priority".

Police and Crime Commissioner Clive Grunshaw said the force had a road policing unit and regularly targeted reckless drivers.

"Additionally, the force regularly carries out numerous proactive operations targeting those on our roads that put the public at risk," said.

"Dangerous driving comes up time and time again as a huge concern for our communities, and it is a priority to make our roads even safer for the majority of law-abiding motorists.

"I will continue to work together with the Road Safety Partnership and hold the Chief Constable to account to ensure that road policing, from our motorways to our rural areas, is working to keep people safe."

Pendle Council said it will contact the Transport Secretary, National Highways, Lancashire County Council and local MPs about the issue.