WORRIED residents have urged Bolton Council to put new safety measures in place on dangerous roads in Horwich.

Concerns were raised once again at the Two Towns area forum on Tuesday about an accident blackspot in Green Lane, where an 82-year-old pedestrian was killed last year.

Councillors also responded to requests for the junction of Church Street and Winter Hey Lane, described as ‘an accident waiting to happen’, to be revamped — saying that the town hall was quoted £100,000 to install an improved four-way traffic light system.

One resident reported cars travelling along Green Lane, which is near two schools and a playground, at speeds of up to 70mph — despite the 20mph limit.

Cllr Kevin McKeon replied: “Last week I had a meeting with officers in which we looked at Green Lane. Although you say that people drive down there without noticing the children’s playground, we have paid for a flashing sign to warn drivers that it is there.

“In terms of warning people, I am not sure we can do anything else.

“There is a flashing 20mph sign on the other side, but it often doesn’t work because it runs on batteries.

“We are going to provide a permanent electric cable to it. We have put 20mph roundels at both ends of Green Lane. The problem is enforcement — the police do that and they will tell us that they don’t have the resources.”

Other residents agreed that speeding drivers would be unlikely to pay attention to another sign, but did suggest residents should carry out their own speed checks to assist police.

Cllr McKeon added: “99 per cent of people who go down that road live in the area — they don’t need to be warned that it is a double bend.

“The number of people who don’t know is infinitesimal.

“Green Lane is probably the most difficult road in our ward, but it terms of accidents it is not a significant road in the whole borough.”

Speeding on Church Street was also identified as a concern requiring ‘clever thinking’ from the council.

Cllr Joyce Kellett added that the problem was ‘all over Horwich’ and questioned why the quote to improve the Church Street lights was so high.

Cllr McKeon said the £100,000 price was quoted because other lights elsewhere would also have to be reconfigured to accommodate the changes.