Greater Manchester Police will undertake covert surveillance to identify and take action against repeat speeders and those driving ‘in an antisocial manner’ following crashes on a major Bolton road.
Last month, ‘safer roads funding’ was announced for St Helens Road following two serious crashes on the same stretch of road. In June, grandmother Karen Kimblin was killed in a crash near the Asda on St Helens Road, with another crash just over a week later leaving a cyclist in hospital.
Later in July, another crash left a car overturned on St Helens Road – leading to further calls for action.
Local residents held a meeting with MP Phil Brickell on Wednesday evening to discuss their concerns over road safety, and their plans for a memorial garden to Karen Kimblin to be installed in Morris Green Park.
Speaking after the meeting, Mr Brickell said: “I’m really concerned about what I’ve seen today with local residents.
“It’s clear that there is intervention needed on the road, working in co-operation with the police and the council to tackle the regular speeding that we’re seeing here, but also to see what traffic calming measures can be put in place as soon as possible.”
Covert surveillance to take place
Now, Mr Brickell has revealed that Greater Manchester Police will be carrying out covert surveillance to catch repeat speeders and anti-social drivers.
He added: “Some of this is down to people who don’t want to abide by the rules of the road, frankly.
“We have had really serious accidents at this junction; I expect that the council will be looking at the road layout and the traffic light synchronisation here on St Helens Road here as well to see how it can be adapted to make the crossings as safe as possible for pedestrians.”
The newly-elected MP said he would be following up with the council in regards to specific interventions to change the road layout, and added that he was looking forward to attending a further meeting with residents, set for August 21.
Local residents call for action
Also attending the meeting was former councillor Derek Bullock, who called for the road’s bus lane to be shortened.
Mr Bullock said the council’s highways department towards road safety should be more proactive in its approach.
Local resident Julie Williams also attended the meeting. Born on St Helens Road, she agreed the bus lane should be shortened.
She also called for the bus stop to be removed outside Asda and for speed cameras to be installed.
She said: “If you remove the bus stop, drivers would have a clearer view of traffic coming towards them, and perhaps wouldn’t then pull out and block the road.
“It’s a clear obstruction, when the bus is there it’s a clear obstruction.”
Having driven for 42 years, Julie said the road was ‘like a Grand Prix’ due to speeding in the area. She now tries to avoid driving on the road as she finds it anxiety-inducing.
She added: “You have to have eyes in the back of your head, because people are pulling out from side streets and from exits, not even following the Highway Code.
“They park in bus lanes and think it’s acceptable, and it’s not. Everything about it.
“A driving instructor said to my daughter when she was learning to drive - ‘if you can drive up St Helens Road, you’ll pass your test’, because it’s such a nightmare to drive – you have to have eyes everywhere, not just in front and behind.
“They just pull out, they just think they have a right to pull out and someone will stop, and it’s not always the case.”
When contacted for comment, a Bolton Council spokesperson said the council could not commit to specific measures at this stage, but added that it continues to work with local councillors and Greater Manchester Police to explore options.
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