RESIDENTS say that their concerns about traffic and congestion along a small road have been vindicated after a recent crash.

The crash occurred on Dearden Street, Little Lever, when a car hit a parked vehicle on front of a row of houses on March 8.

People living in the area had already warned that an accident could be on the cards due to a major housing development project nearby, causing traffic to become heavy on the road.

Cllr David Evans, who represents the area on Bolton Council, said: “It was predictable that a preventable accident would occur, regrettably this happened.

“It’s the second time in months, the other example was Darcy Lever, where preventable accidents have occurred.”

Though in this case only a parked vehicle was hit, Cllr Evans believes there could have been much more serious consequences if a crash involving more people had occurred.

Even before the most recent crash, residents reported in February that four cars had been damaged along the road, further demonstrating the need to take action.

Cllr Evans says that having canvassed local opinion alongside another ward councillor, it was clear that residents would like to see traffic calming measures put in place.

He said: “I put forward a suggestion that all three ward councillors would consult residents and report back, this was agreed.

“I can confirm myself and another ward councillor spoke with residents Saturday March 5 there was an overwhelming support for a one-way system from residents who believe that option may assist tackling with the traffic flow and hazardous congestion.”

The area had already been known as a cut-through for cars travelling through Little Lever and residents, such as Joanne Mutch who described traffic as “horrendous”, have already raised concerns that the Lever Gardens project will worsen this.

The project will see housing built for older people on land around Dearden Street and Lever Street including 62 flats and six bungalows as well as a bistro and communal areas.

Plans for the road will be going back to consultation once the project is complete.