Wigan villagers fearful of fatal accident amid high number of crashes

A concerned resident says traffic calming measures in a Wigan village cannot come quick enough, following a series of serious incidents in recent weeks.

John Nield has spent the last several weeks cataloguing a number of road traffic collisions in Standish, in a bid to highlight the problem to the council.

They range from stolen vehicles being abandoned in flames, and more drivers fleeing the scene after crashing into fences, all within 200 metres of one another in the Red Rock and Chorley Road areas.

Fortunately, the crashes so far have resulted in material damage only.

But Mr Nield and his neighbours fear that people will be injured or even killed if urgent action is not taken to quell the number of speeding drivers in the village.

The council says it will be introducing such measures next month.

Mr Nield, 71, said: “It is only a matter of time until somebody gets injured, or worse, within this very small corner of the borough.

“Not only do we get vehicles speeding along Chorley Road to try and gain a new speed record as recorded on the digital readout, but we also have convoys of heavy lorries servicing the building sites up Rectory Lane and several issues concerning dangerous driving and stolen vehicles.”

He added: “When is something going to be done before there is a fatality? Somebody needs to look at the bigger picture in Standish now, before it is too late.

“There is an accident waiting to happen on the pavement between the Ows and the railway bridge on Rectory Lane, and no thought was given to a safe cycling route up Rectory Lane when planning permission was given to the multitude of estates.

“Let’s introduce some traffic calming measures as a matter of urgency and look at the amount and nature of the traffic using Rectory Lane.”

Mark Tilley, assistant director for infrastructure and regulatory services, said: “Road safety is a key priority for us and we will take a proactive approach, to reduce the risk to motorists and pedestrians where possible across the borough.

“We are currently looking at Chorley Road/Rectory Lane roundabout to improve visibility when exiting Rectory Lane.

“Any incidents of speeding or dangerous driving should be reported to the police on 101.”

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