RESIDENTS of High and Low Newton were celebrating yesterday after learning that the long-awaited bypass of the two villages has moved a step closer to reality.

A Government-sponsored report has recommended that the proposed scheme " should be delivered by 2007 as a matter of priority" despite objections from environmental campaigners.

The report was released on Wednesday and follows last February's public examination of draft Regional Planning Guidance by a panel appointed by the Government.

There have been three major accidents - two of them fatal - at Low Newton in the last month.

The latest on Monday left motorist Carl Parton, 35, of Slyne, near Lancaster, with serious head injuries.

Tomorrow interactive speed signs that flash a Slow Down message to motorists will be operational.

They have been put up by the Highways Agency following a public exhibition and consultation with residents.

"This is the first good news after a terrible few weeks for villagers," said Mandy Dixon, who was dramatically caught up in last Monday evening's accident.

"We are very pleased the panel has backed the bypass and we will now be lobbying Government to make sure that it accepts the recommendation."

Mrs Dixon was two cars behind one of the vehicles involved in the accident, and held the head of the accident victim as he slipped in and

out of consciousness until paramedics arrived on the scene.

Rush-hour traffic was grid-locked for three hours around the crash site after Mr Parton's black Toyota Celica collided with a seven-and-a-half-tonne Leyland lorry.

Lorry driver Christopher Lowthian of Langwathby, near Penrith, was not injured.

Mr Parton is in intensive care at Royal Preston Hospital where his condition was described as "slightly improved" yesterday.

The A590 Alliance has welcomed the new electronic signs but emphasised that the bypass is, in their view, the only solution to cut the carnage on the road.

"Although the village accepts these measures as a help in the interim, it is just tinkering with the real problem which is the substandard nature of the road," said Mrs Dixon.

"We are pleased that the panel in its report highlights the view of the Highways Agency that 'traffic calming will not solve the problem and there is no easy solution other than a bypass'."

The Government is expected to announce its decision on the Regional Planning Guidance around the end of the year.