Police in Westhoughton have pledged to target speeding hotspots - as long as they get are given information as to where officers can be  most effective.

At a Police and Communities Together (PACT) meeting this week at The Hub at Westhoughton, residents and local councillors pressed the police on what they are doing to combat speeding in the area.

A number of Westhoughton Town councillors, including Cllr David Wilkinson and Cllr Bernadette Eckersley-Fallon who both also serve on Bolton Council, were keen to point out areas they felt we in need of mobile speed cameras to help reduce dangerous driving.

One person at the meeting said: “On Church Street close to the station, it can be very difficult to cross.

READ MORE: Greater Manchester Police issue speeding warning for Bolton and Bury

“They whizz past. I’d like to see you with a speed gun there.”

Other problem areas highlighted included Park Road, Chorley Road, Manchester Road, Bolton Road, The Hoskers, Wearish Lane, Chew Moor Lane, and Hartford Road.

“It’s arterial roads that are the problem,” Cllr Wilkinson said. “Straight roads where people just put their foot down.”

Inspector Jamie Hibbert, who is in charge of the neighbourhood team in Bolton West which consists of two small teams, each with its own sergeant, three police constables, and three or four police community support officers, led the panel of GMP force members.

He said: “If people tell us the places, we’ll look at them. We’ll take all these into consideration.

“If it’s being raised by people just tell me.”

READ MORE: Chew Moor Lane awaiting approval for speeding measures

Another person at the meeting suggested that a police speed van that is often situated on Chew Moor Lane was not in an effective location, and queried whether it could be moved.

Sgt Robertson, who oversees Westhoughton, explained that the vans are under control of GMP’s traffic unit, but officers involved have specialist training in order to most effectively catch speeders.

He added: “If it’s here in Westhoughton it’s in the area for a reason. So, if you see a van that’s a really good thing.

“We have a speed gun, and we can be a bit more diplomatic with that. We don’t need a big van.”

Insp Hibbert admitted that the police are never going to completely eradicate speeders, but strategically placed police presence is likely help reduce the problem.

READ MORE: Police conduct speed checks in Bolton and catch 5 drivers

He added: “Is prevention better than the cure? If people are slowing down because there’s a police camera there, that’s half the battle.

“If we can slow everybody down, I’d prefer that to catching two or three people.

GMP and councillors are keen to encourage members of the community to join in future PACT meetings, which are due to  take place quarterly.