A COUNCILLOR has been driven to distraction by a new speed camera set up yards from a chicane designed to slow cars down.

The camera was unveiled at the beginning of the month but has left Blackburn with Darwen councillor Hussein Akhtar scratching his head.

Coun Akhtar said the camera, which has still to be turned on, is useless in its current location in Whalley Range, Blackburn, and should be moved further down the road.

But today council and road camera bosses defended its location in a 20mph zone and said there had been five accidents and ten casualties on the road in the last three years.

Coun Akhtar said: "I think it needs to be moved about 500 yards further down the road. "Sometimes the people who decide where these cameras go have to look twice and if they need moving, then they should be moved. appreciate it would be difficult but I think everyone in the community would be grateful. "The camera was one of 100 extra cameras scattered throughout Lancashire this year bringing the total number in the county to 320.

Adrian Crook, who runs Handy Hire nearby, said: "The ideal position for the camera would be further down the road. It is just another waste of taxpayers' money."

Linda Sanderson, of the Lancashire Partnership for Road Safety, said cameras were installed after surveys and information on accident statistics were collected, but the final decision was down to Blackburn with Darwen Council.

She added: "We make recommendations but choosing the final locations is down to council officers."

"The site chosen will be based on local information."

Coun Andy Kay, executive member for regeneration at Blackburn with Darwen Council, ruled out moving the camera.

He said: "There have been five accidents reported in the last three years, resulting in ten casualties.

"We will discourage drivers from increasing their speed dramatically as they leave the bend drivers ignoring the give way system."

"Moving the cameras away from this location will not have the same impact on traffic calming measures and the position suggested would interfere with an existing bus stop already located there.

"The safety of the residents of the Borough is of paramount importance to the council and we will do whatever is necessary to reduce injury risks."

Do you know of a speed camera that you think could be in a better place? Contact the Evening Telegraph newsdesk on 01254 298219 or e-mail let_editorial@lancashire.newsquest.co.uk.