Work is to begin on an eight-week programme to improve road safety in Ainsworth Village, addressing long-standing concerns from residents about speeding, rat-running traffic, and accident levels.

Villagers have faced numerous incidents, with several cars written off and front garden gates destroyed by vehicles narrowly missing their homes.

Last year alone, there were four car accidents within four weeks, leading locals to nickname Church Street an “airport runway.”

Bury Council’s Ainsworth Village Road Safety Scheme is due to commence on July 15.

It includes a new raised puffin crossing near the village store on Church Street, the establishment of a mini roundabout at the junction of Bradley Fold Road and Church Street, the introduction of new traffic islands and the widening of others to reduce lane widths, the raising of an existing puffin crossings near Tommy Lane, and changes to some road markings.

Bury Council said that during the works, access may be limited although adding “we will try to maintain vehicular access to all properties during the works, however, it must be noted that on occasions this access may be limited.”

During the work, temporary traffic lights will be used to manage traffic.

The removal of old kerbs, road surfaces and the resetting of ironwork is expected to create a considerable amount of noise, but the council said it will endeavour to keep noise to a minimum.

Ainsworth councillor Jo Lancaster said: “I’ve lived in the village for five years and am very aware of the problems and dangers of speeding traffic.

“Residents have been very upset, and it’s not good that children walking to the village school should be walking alongside vehicles that are travelling at 60mph in a 30mph zone.

“These new measures should make things a lot safer and I’m grateful to the council and the villagers who worked together to come to an agreement over what needs to be done, and who will continue to work together in the future.”