A local residents’ group is calling for barriers to be raised on a bridge over the M61.

Work has been carried out at other bridges and now residents want the same action to be taken on the bridge at St Helens Road.

In 2023, Bolton Coroners Court heard how a 55-year-old father jumped off the bridge after attending the Royal Bolton Hospital that same morning on October 12, 2022.

Just four days following his death, Stephanie Williams – of the Friends of Over Hulton group – began the group’s campaign to make the bridge safer.

Now a petition has been set up urging authorities to enhance the barriers on the M61 motorway bridges.

Stephanie says she received reassurances that action would be taken, but now she is worried given the amount of time that has passed.

The petition can be found at  change.org/M61MotorwayBarriers

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Speaking to The Bolton News, the 46-year-old, who has lived in the area her whole life and previously worked for a suicide text helpline, said the bridge’s proximity to the hospital made action vital.

She said: “It makes me very angry, to be honest, and very frustrated.

"I understand how easy it is sometimes for people to think there’s no other way out.

“The fact there’s something that’s caused so many issues in the past and it’s just kind of been ignored – like we’ve raised it as an issue but nothing’s been done about it.

“It’s the trauma to the people on the motorway, the trauma to the first responders, the people who live nearby. It just feels like that’s not been taken into consideration.”

She added: "Other bridges in Bolton have raised barriers, such as that on St Peters Way leading to the A666.

“The raised barriers would help to prevent easy access to the motorway and possibly prevent suicides from being carried out at this location, but would also protect the motorists travelling along the M61.”

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A spokesperson for Bolton Council said: “Every suicide is a tragedy, and we will always explore every opportunity to keep people safe from harm.

“Whilst motorway bridges are National Highways’ responsibility, the council is presently working with them to reduce the risk of and opportunity for suicides on motorway bridges, including St Helens Road.”

A National Highways spokesperson said: “At National Highways the safety of everyone on our network matters; we recognise the wide-reaching and devastating impact of suicide for both individuals and communities and the important role we can play. 

“As a highway authority, we have an important role to help prevent suicide on our roads where possible.

“We work closely with Samaritans and local partners to identify and deliver interventions so we can help to prevent people taking their own life.”

Samaritans is available round the clock, every single day of the year, providing a safe place to talk for anyone who is struggling to cope.

Call 116 123 (this number is free to call and will not appear on your phone bill), 01204 521200 or email jo@samaritans.org

If you have a story, I cover the whole borough of Bolton. Please get in touch at jack.fifield@newsquest.co.uk.