Bolton: Traffic survey to be completed after HGVs get stuck

Residents in Westhoughton say that there have already been a number of crashes on Bamber Croft and they are worried that there could even be a fatality with the number of elderly and children in the area.

Hazel Dawn Darlington lives on the a small street just off the A6 in Westhoughton  and she says that most recently HGVs were being sent down the residential street via sat nav to get to Wingates Industrial Estate, which is not a through road.

She has welcomed the news of a traffic survey and is confident that the issue will be recognised.

• ALSO READ: Neighbours' concerns as satnav directs HGVs down their street
• Asda HGV reverses into houses after 'sat nav' wrong turn​

Hazel Dawn Darlington and neighbour Terry on Bamber Croft, Westhoughton (Image: Public)

Hazel said: “If they monitor the traffic, I am confident that we will be able to get something in place.

“I am really glad to hear this because it is such a narrow street.

“We will see what the survey response says.

“Bamber Croft is completely full of parked cars and there is just enough room to get your car down.

• ALSO READ: Asda HGV reverses into houses after 'sat nav' wrong turn

“There is definitely going to be a fatality if nothing is done.”

Anderby Walk and Wellington Street (Image: Public)

However, Graham Pollitt – who lives less than a five-minute drive away on the junction of Anderby Walk and Wellington Street has mixed views on whether this will make a difference and says it should be straight forward to put a couple of signs up.

• ALSO READ: Talks after sat navs direct HGVs down street

He said: “All it needs is two signs that say no HGV’s, with a 7.5 tonne weight limit.

“Some days there aren’t any and sometimes there is.

“So, it all depends on what comes back from the survey.

“It needs to be actioned because an accident is going to happen.”

Ward councillor Andrea Finney raised the question of whether signs could be installed during a meeting of the full council this week.

• ALSO READ: More calls for action after lorries get stuck
• Traffic jam lasted one hour as a result of a HGV getting stuck (Image: Public)

She said: “I can confirm that on one occasion – and there have been numerous occasions that this has happened – there was a hold-up of traffic for about one hour on Church Street to allow the HGV driver back on to the major road.

“I appreciate that the sat navs are directing HGVs along the shortest route, but this is becoming a danger to our residents and their property.”

Executive Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport Cllr Stuart Haslam told her that a report has now been commissioned to determine the level of HGV use to see whether additional signs or road markings are needed.

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