Traffic safety proposals on Bolton Road

It was good to receive an e-mail from the Council last week regarding safety measures that they intend to take on Bolton Road. Myself, Ian McCartney and Ann Rampling have been campaigning for years now to make this road safer and it seems that we are in sight of achieving our aims - especially in relation to improved pedestrian crossing of Bolton Road

The council is proposing to improve the junction of Bolton Road / Byrn Road in Ashton - see above sketch plan. Their proposals are to introduce a pedestrian crossing to the existing layout of the junction and install anti-skid on Bolton Road. Road markings are also to be renewed on Bryn Road to improve clarity and help drivers position themselves in the correct lane. This scheme forms part of the Capital Programme 08/09 and its' aim is to reduce road casualties.However we are disappointed that the pedestrian crossing lower down Bolton Road will not be upgraded to a puffin crossing and we will be still be campaigning for that improvement.

Over a recent 36 month period an accident investigation revealed 7 collisions resulting in 9 casualties. 5 collisions was a result of rear shunts on both approaches on Bolton Road. There has also been a pedestrian casualty crossing Bolton Road near to the proposed crossing.

A pedestrian count survey was also carried out at this junction and revealed a high pedestrian flow at the location of the proposed crossing.

I would stress that these are only proposals at the moment and the more support I get for these plans the better it will be. All comments should be in to the Council by 1st July 2008.