Smithills Road to miss out on speed cameras after petition

The residents of Smithills Dean Road and its surroundings want the authorities to address the problem of speeding in particular past St Peter’s Smithills Dean CE School and Smithills School.

Recently, a petition raised 400 signatures and as a result the problem of speeding is set to be considered by cabinet member for highways Hamid Khurram next week.

However, a report suggests the road is not at the threshold for the installation of speed cameras and Cllr Khurram is recommended to take alternative action instead.

Specifically, the report suggests there must be three deaths or serious injuries over three years to meet the requirements.

Roger Hayes, a councillor for Smithills Ward and the leader of the Liberal Democrats, asked Cllr Khurram to support the residents regardless of these requirements.

READ MORE: Bolton: Two drivers broke speed limit and alcohol limit.

Cllr Hayes said: “It is a dangerous road with two schools on it so it ought to get some sort of priority. There is a lot of speeding and this is downhill as well as uphill. 

“People seem to get through the lights at the top of Halliwell Road and put their foot down thinking they’re in the country but, of course, they’re not.”

Incidents on Smithills Dean Road in the last three years include the death of Paul Rostron, from Astley Bridge, who took his own life in a car crash deemed intentional at an inquest. The report refers to two other incidents, one which caused ‘serious’ injuries and one which caused ‘slight’ injuries.

But the leader of the Lib Dems, who lives on the road, said it is not a reflection of the issue.

Cllr Hayes said: “There have been a lot more accidents than there have been reported. People disappeared as they weren’t insured, weren’t taxed or were under the influence of something.

“And there have been a lot more accidents which could have been serious but which weren’t.

READ MORE: Bolton: Average speed cameras planned for the borough.

“There are a lot of roads like this in Bolton. There are at least two or three like this in Smithills. But Smithills Dean Road is one where there’s a particularly strong feeling from the residents.

“I’m hopeful the cabinet member will back them but the policy probably dictates he won’t.”

Cllr Khurram is recommended to take alternative action in the form of a request to the police for speed enforcement as well as hi-vis backing boards on the 30mph signs and ‘dragons teeth’ markings.

It is set to be considered on Wednesday.

This article was written by Jack Tooth. To contact him, email jack.tooth@newsquest.co.uk or follow @JTRTooth on Twitter.

Source – INDIA TV