DRIVING experts and residents are warning that an experimental new road layout is an accident waiting to happen.

Bolton Council has put an unusual new traffic calming measure in Tennyson Road which is causing confusion for drivers.

It is on the opposite side of the road to the "Give Way" sign, which the council says will make drivers on both sides slow down.

But residents nearby claim that it is dangerous because both drivers are failing to give way.

Roy Sammons, chairman of Bolton Advanced Motorists, said it was the first time he had seen a road designed like that.

He said: "It is confusing for drivers and I'm sure this could have been done better by the council.

"In the Highway Code, if the obstruction is on your side, for example a parked car, you are expected to give way, so I can see why drivers are confused.

"A better option would have been to build out the road on both sides, to give one lane in the middle of the road, which would slow the traffic. I think it is an accident waiting to happen because it is so unusual."

Harold Dennis, aged 62, who lives in Tennyson Road, said: "The road has been like this for a few weeks.

"The Give Way' sign needs to be moved to the other side to solve the problem. At the moment neither car wants to give way and there have been a number of near misses."

A council spokesman said: "Build-outs are often provided in pairs or the give way' marking and the build-out are placed on the same side of the carriageway.

"The arrangement on this scheme is an alternative approach which we are trialling, whereby both flows are impeded, one by the requirement to give way, the other by deflection around the build-out.

"The road signs and markings are clear and should avoid any potential conflict, but the layout is intended to make motorists think as they negotiate the feature."