‘It’s a dangerous road . . . I couldn’t live with myself if there was another fatality’

Parking restrictions and traffic calming have been given the green light to make a “dangerous road” in Middleton safer.

Last night, Middleton Township Committee approved a traffic order which will introduce three pedestrian crossing islands, extend bus stops, reduce on-street parking and narrow parts of Grimshaw Lane following problems with speeding, serious crashes, including a fatality, and inconsiderate parking blocking buses.

The scheme was called in to be considered by the committee following objections from 11 residents, with the main concern being the loss of parking outside homes.

After the meeting, Cllr Dylan Williams, ward councillor and Rochdale Council portfolio holder for highways and facilities, shared: “It has taken four-and-a-half years to get to this point. The road is very dangerous. There have been multiple RTAs, parked cars crashed into, property damaged repeatedly and a fatality.

Cllr Dylan Williams

“The road layout was identified as a major factor in the number of accidents and this scheme addresses this.

“The islands narrow the road and force the cars to slow down. The narrowing of junctions with disabled access crossings include Shawbury Street, Sedgley Street and the two Sandy Lanes.

“We carried out extensive consultation on this scheme. Apart from the 11 objectors, everyone we spoke to was very supportive.

“The meeting became very heated with some of the objectors who attended. The main point of contention was parking.

“The road is over a mile long and is home to multiple residents. Loss of parking in this scheme has been kept to the absolute minimum. The report stated a total of 10 parking spaces will be lost. However, six out of the 10 homes affected have driveways.”

Council highways officers have identified Sandy Lane, which is directly across the road from the properties, for parking.

Cllr Williams added: “For a scheme this large to only receive 11 objections is very low. We have to go off the majority, and it’s hard but we cannot please everyone.

Parking at junctions has causes issues for traffic in Grimshaw Lane. Image: Google

“If we rejected this report, it would have sent us back to the drawing board and there was no other viable alternative.”

Cllr Williams also revealed that he and committee chairman Cllr June West were subjected to personal abuse after the meeting.

Cllr Williams added: “I couldn’t live with myself if I voted against this report and there was another fatality, especially with the number of school children using the road.

“It was a horrible experience, but we know hand on heart we are doing the right thing and again, we have to go with the majority. We need to make the road safer. And we have mitigated all of the objections as much as possible.

“Now the scheme has been approved, work will start in the next few weeks.”

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