Westhoughton: Calls for speed cameras after concerns raised

The warnings come after Westhoughton police neighbourhood officers carried out a number of speed checks in the area on Park Road, Hindley Road, and Wigan Road.

Residents previously raised concerns over people speeding in the area at a recent Police and Communities Together (PACT) meeting.

Westhoughton North and Hunger Hill, Cllr Arthur Price, says that while he understands there may be constraints when it comes to funding, he does not think there should be a cost on “someone’s life”.

Officers on Wigan Road (Image: Police)

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He said: “The speed checks are a good thing to have, but it’s only there for a few hours a day, when it’s going on all the time.

“The safety of the residents is what concerns me, and we desperately need some speed cameras putting up, because I don’t want any more fatalities.

“The police are doing a cracking job doing what they are doing though.”

In Westhoughton, Park Road has a limit of 30mph, Wigan Road in Hunger Hill is 40mph, and Hindley Road is 30mph near Wearish Lane before it goes to 40mph.

Although there have been speed cameras installed in the area by Transport for Greater Manchester, and operated by Greater Manchester Police (GMP), on Wigan Road, there are concerns that there are not enough.

During the speed checks officers clocked a motorist travelling at 37mph on Park Road, and police say that they will continue to conduct regular checks.

Cllr Price said: “Cars go a lot faster than the speed limit.

“On Wigan Road there have been at least two fatalities.

“They come off the motorway and speed on Wigan Road and Park Road, and it’s dangerous.

“The area has become even busier with the amount of houses being built, and it isn’t right for the amount of cars going through Westhoughton, especially with schools nearby, which is a concern.”

Cllr David Chadwick said: “People should realise that the speed limit is the maximum not the minimum.

“Clearly a number of people are behaving in an anti-social way, driving at excessive speeds.

“Throughout the day there are lots of children going to and from school and can behave in an unpredictable way.

“It only takes one child.”

Patrols on Hindley Road (Image: Police)

Cllr David Wilkinson says that the PACT meeting is a great forum for issues to be brought to light, combined with other methods.

He said: “We are grateful that the police are listening at the PACT meetings to these types of problems.

“Police will try and fit it in with other operations when they can, but speeding is virtually every day, and it’s a case of when they can be caught.”

Cllr Wilkinson also says that he is hopeful that the Greater Manchester Road Danger Reduction plan will be looked at, so that there will not have to be a certain number killed or seriously injured before cameras are installed.

Hundreds of drivers have been reported for different alleged driving offences since the launch of GMP's Operation Portman more than a year ago, which was launched in response to concerns over the number of serious road incidents in the town.

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