Plans are in the pipeline for average speed cameras to be installed in three areas of Bolton.

It comes after Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) announced plans for average speed cameras to be installed at 25 locations across the region.

Initially, TfGM did not name the 25 locations where there are proposals for standard speed cameras to be removed in favour of the alternative system.

However, a Freedom of Information request from a resident received a response at the start of this month and revealed a list with three areas of Bolton – Chorley New Road between Bolton Hospice and Bolton School; Chorley Road between Blackrod Bypass and Barnabys Road; and Newbrook Road between Manchester Road and Wellington Road.

These are in addition to the average speed cameras on St Peter's Way, which were installed around five years ago.

READ MORE: Sarah Storey's plan to reduce casualties on roads to ZERO.

Dame Sarah Storey, Active Travel Commissioner for the region, said: "Last year I recommended the region move to adopt the Vision Zero approach which means we reach a point where no one is killed or seriously injured on Greater Manchester's roads.

"A key part of being able to adopt this approach is being able to tackle road crime effectively and speeding is one of the leading causes of death and serious injury on Greater Manchester's roads."

The Bolton News:

Superintendent Gareth Parkin, of the GMP Safer Transport Team, said: "The speed cameras are put in place to ensure drivers adhere to the speed limits and do not engage in anti-social or reckless driving.

"The speed limits are put in place to ensure roads are safe as excessive speeds increase the chances of errors, increase the time it takes to stop and increase the chances of fatalities in the event of a collision.

READ MORE: Bolton: Police explain increase in casualties on roads.

"I would like to thank TfGM and the Mayor’s Office for continuing to work with GMP to help to tackle these issues. 

"GMP will not allow the safety of our roads to be compromised by dangerous drivers and appropriate action will always be taken against offenders."

TfGM said the plans for average speed cameras are out to tender and are therefore subject to change based on the bid of the successful supplier. They are also subject to change based on their affordability.

Already it is in the process of replacing more than 100 standard speed cameras across the region and it is considering replacing its red light cameras too. The work is funded by the Mayor's Challenge Fund.


This article was written by Jack Tooth. To contact him, email jack.tooth@newsquest.co.uk or follow @JTRTooth on Twitter.