Residents make a plea for drivers to stop speeding

Michael O'Dea, one of the residents of Low Bank Road, Ashton-in-Makerfield, unhappy about cars speeding in the area

People living in Lower Bank Road, Ashton, are fed up with cars speeding along the 30mph stretch, claiming it disturbs the peace and they are fear there will be an accident.

Speaking on behalf of the residents, Michael O’Dea said they are furious that despite many calls to Wigan Council and Greater Manchester Police, nothing is being done.

The 75-year-old said: “On a Friday night/Saturday morning cars are coming up and down at 70mph and racing each other side by side. There are also motorcyclists doing wheelies.

“Cars are also speeding during the school run, which is dangerous to children crossing.

“It causes so much noise in the evenings that we can’t sleep.

“I have had to call the police on several occasions about cars double parking. My son also witnessed an accident last October, where a speeding car ploughed into another vehicle.

“I have contacted the police and council on many occasions but not had any joy. Someone came out to do a traffic survey which said the average speed was between 30mph and 35mph, but there are times when they are doing 60mph. We want something done before it causes a serious accident.”

Mr O’Dea has been working with Coun Nathan Murray, who said the council had done as much as they could by installing temporary speed restriction signs and completing a traffic survey.

He said: “The biggest problem is ignorant drivers. The speed limit of 30mph is well advertised. The problem is people coming from Garswood, which is a rural stretch and they assume it is 60mph. A while back there was a police van on the bridge, but due to lack of resources that has stopped.”

Mark Tilley, assistant director for infrastructure at Wigan Council, said: “In response to the concerns from residents we did a traffic survey on the road last year and recorded an average speed of 31mph. The survey did not warrant any further measures in the area at that time. However we understand speeding is a concern across the borough for many residents and so through The Deal we have introduced a Community Speedwatch scheme. This gives residents the chance to record the speed of vehicles in a chosen area and pass the results back to our officers. If the recorded speeds show a problem we can erect temporary warning signs in the area to slow motorists down.”