Work still needed at blackspot

Wiganers living on Bickershaw Lane are demanding Wigan Council tackle reckless driving following a spate of incidents and say someone will be killed if nothing is done.

In the most dramatic recent incident debris was sent flying into a door after a car collided with a couple of garden walls near a bus stop.

Cars were also spotted aquaplaning along the route on Boxing Day.

Residents last year joined forces with ward representative Coun Carl Sweeney to ask for traffic-calming measures along the semi-rural route after a car ploughed into a fence and a lamp post in the early hours of the morning.

However, despite pledges to curb high-speed driving along Bickershaw Lane residents now say there have ben no changes made and incidents have continued.

One resident, who asked not to be named, said: “I am growing more and more concerned and frustrated at the apparent lack of will on behalf of the council to adopt traffic-calming measures.

“Last week a car left the road and ploughed into two garden walls. The impact was such that a brick was sent flying through the window of the front door and it is sheer good fortune that nobody was seriously injured.

“I would argue that Bickershaw Lane must surely be one of the most dangerous roads in the borough and it is only a matter of time when a fatality will occur.”

Coun Sweeney last year said several routes in Abram were being plagued by drivers travelling too fast and the council and Greater Manchester Police (GMP) should work together to tackle the issue.

He also called for the authorities to look at more unusual speed deterrents such as higher-friction road surfaces on sharp bends.