A RENEWED push for the speed limit to be slashed and a new crossing created on a stretch of the East Lancs Road is being backed by St Helens North MP Dave Watts.

He is supporting calls by a group of Moss Bank residents for the reduction of the 60mph limit and a traffic light controlled pedestrian crossing.

They are continuing to put pressure on St Helens Council to stiffen safety measures on the East Lancs following the death of Cowley schoolgirl Yasmin Carney (12) in February 2006.

Campaigners want the local authority to drop the speed limit to 50mph and install speed cameras where the road runs past the Clinkham Wood and Haresfinch estates.

Mr Watts said: "It is still clear that the vast majority of motorists using this section of the East Lancs are travelling at high speed.

"I would strongly urge the council to take immediate action to control the speed of traffic on this busy stretch of road and to look again at the possibility of either providing a controlled crossing or a bridge to provide a safe crossing point for local residents and their children."

The Star reported earlier this year how pedestrians are shunning a dark underpass that links Haresfinch and Clinkham Wood.

They are instead hurdling the road's central barrier to cross, with witnesses reporting seeing mums carrying prams and cyclists lugging bikes over the barrier.

Mr Watts added: "It is still clear that many children and adults are very unwilling to use the Moss Bank, underpass in order to cross the East Lancs Road."

Yasmin was knocked down as she crossed the dual carriageway at its junction with Moss Bank Road.

This prompted calls by neighbours for a footbridge or traffic light controlled crossing to be created a nearby that stretch of road.

But after community consultation, St Helens Council decided against such plans and, a year after the tragedy, St Helens Council introduced a range of other measures.

They included blocking the gap in the central reservation at Moss Bank and introducing signs urging drivers to cut their speed.

A survey carried out by Carr Mill resident, Roy Litherland, who stood as a Labour candidate in Moss Bank at this year's local elections, suggested more than 300 people living nearby the East Lancs wanted to see the speed limit reduced and a safer crossing.