A NEW interactive map has pinpointed the notorious A682 as the north-west's most dangerous road .

But campaigners are hopeful that the introduction of average speed cameras along the route, which stretches from Higherford to Long Preston, will improve the reputation of the country lane.

The leg which runs to its junction with the A65 has been identified as the most perilous by insurers Agea, using data from the Road Safety Foundation.

Several motorcyclists have lost their lives, over the past decade, through the likes of Blacko and Gisburn, along the winding 'A' road.

Cllr Paul White, leader of Pendle Council and a former Lancashire County councillor for the area, said: "I was delighted, when I represented the area, to be able to work to secure average speed cameras as there had been a problem there for such a long time.

"It has been one of the most dangerous roads in Britain and hopefully we will now start to see the impact of these cameras, in terms of slowing people down and reducing accidents.

"I'm confident that our actions will go some way towards changing people's perceptions of the A682."

Another road singled out as part of the same exercise, in East Lancashire, is the A680, running through the centre of Haslingden, from Acre through to Bentgate.

And the road from junction three of the M65 to Walton-le-dale, incorporating parts of the A675, Hoghton Lane and Blackburn Old Road, is another major worry.

Other roads to be flagged up, albeit with slightly better accident records, are the A671 from Padiham to Whalley, the A679 through Accrington and Whalley Road from Wilpshire to Langho.

The Road Safety Foundation and Ageas is calling on the government to provide an immediate £75million to improve the country's riskiest roads.

Andy Watson, chief executive of Ageas, said: "It's shocking to see that drivers who use the A682 are living with a high risk of death or serious injury as they use this road and other roads in their area.

"We deal with the devastating aftermaths of serious road crashes every day. That's why we’re calling for this investment."

Suzy Charman RSF executive director, added: "The reality is progress to reduce the rate of death and serious injury on our roads has flatlined since 2010."

The A682 benefitted from the Safer Road Funds, which is expected to save 1,450 fatal and serious injuries nationally over the next 20 years. The £450,000 average speed cameras, along the route between Higherford and Gisburn, went live in August.