Chorley Old Road crash prompts calls for changes to junction

Resident Eileen Ball was at home when she heard a loud bang after a driver crashed into the wall.

Although the cause of the crash is not known Eileen told The Bolton News she believes someone will be ‘seriously killed’ at a nearby junction, adding that there have been ‘so many near misses’.

In February 2023, an old zebra crossing linking both sides of Chorley Old Road near Moorside Avenue and New Hall Lane was replaced.

The junction has been criticised (Image: Jack Fifield, Newsquest)

In its place, the side streets became part of a multi-arm controlled junction, each side with signal-controlled pedestrian crossings.

However, not everyone is happy with the new arrangement. In July of this year, a majority of 90 respondents to a survey said they thought conditions had worsened since the new system was installed.

Since the new system was installed in February last year, complaints have been raised about confusion at the junction that could lead to potential accidents.

According to the original consultation for the installation of the junctions, transport bosses believed signalising the junction would make it easier for pedestrians to cross and for cyclists to get from Moorside Avenue or New Hall Lane.

A zebra crossing was removed and replaced with a signalised junction (Image: Google)

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READ MORE: 'Urgent update' call on Chorley Old Road junction scheme

'Delays and broken promises' on Chorley Old Road junction

Having lived in her home for 33 years, Eileen disagreed that the change had been positive.

Speaking to The Bolton News, the 71-year-old said: “Traffic’s heavier everywhere since I’ve lived here, but since these lights have been put up, it’s just congestion and congestion.”

Eileen says she has nearly been injured twice when crossing the road at the junction, with some drivers mistakenly continuing straight over the turning lanes – putting them on the wrong side of the road.

Now, she thinks the junction should be changed to just one lane – with a normal pelican crossing instead.

Eileen added: “The layout of the road is too small – the junction’s too small, this is something that you see in a bigger road.”

At just before 7pm on Monday evening, Eileen – who was in her living room – heard a loud bang as a car was ploughed into the wall outside the front of her home.

Eileen then came rushing out to help those caught up in the crash.

Eileen said she was lucky a brick didn't go through the front window of her home (Image: Eileen Ball)

She said: “I didn’t hear the first bang – but the second bang, I couldn’t avoid it – because the whole wall was demolished.

“We’re really fortunate because there was nearly a brick that went through the front window – we’re really lucky.”

Eileen added: “We were very lucky that it didn’t come right through the living room window – very, very lucky – it must just have bounced off as it was about to go through the window.”

Now, Eileen wants to see the road changed before another incident occurs.

She said: “Somebody is going to get seriously killed at this junction, because we’ve seen so many near misses.

“We’ve just seen so many near misses – usually rush hour is the worst.”

The junction (Image: Newsquest)

Eileen added: “If you ask any parent or whatever, they’ll tell you these are a nightmare – they’re an accident waiting to happen.

“People say they should improve their driving skills – yeah, they should improve their driving skills, but you’ve got to have a look at the layout as well.”

Eileen wasn’t the only person concerned with the new layout.

Patel Deep owns Whitecroft Stores, located opposite the crash site.

He also blamed the new lights for causing problems and increasing congestion, adding that a lot of people speed in the area.

Eileen is trying to retain as many of the original bricks as possible for repairs (Image: Jack Fifield, Newsquest) Patel said: “Down Chorley Old Road there’s a right turn lane, they use that to go straight. All you can hear is beeps, and the bus stop – to me – it’s not in the right place.

“When people are trying to pull out they can’t see if there’s oncoming traffic.”

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Crash data shows the full picture

According to Department for Transport crash data, there were 16 crashes recorded within 50 metres of the crossing between 2000 and 2023 – two of which were fatal and two of which were considered serious.

Several crashes, including two fatal, have been recorded near the site since the year 2000 (Image: DfT STATS19/CycleStreets/Mapbox)

Several other people have been casualties in crashes nearby, including car occupants and cyclists, with their injuries considered ‘slight’.

Cllr Roger Hayes with Cllr Anne Galloway and Cllr Sue Priest at the junction with residents last year (Image: Newsquest)

Highway department says zebra removed due to 'accident record'

Bolton Council’s Highway Department said: “We cannot comment on the accident as we have no details of what happened although from the photograph provided it seems to have occurred at the junction with Whitecroft Road rather than Moorside Ave / New Hall Lane.

“Queries about the operation of the junction (waiting times / crossing times etc) should be referred to Transport for Greater Manchester who are responsible for the operation of traffic signals.

“The new junction has been installed to improve safety for pedestrians, the most vulnerable road users.

“The zebra was removed because it had an attributable accident record and there were concerns about its use.

“A signalised crossing could not be provided in the same location because of the proximity of the nearby junctions so the only option was to signalise the New Hall Lane / Moorside Ave junction and provide pedestrian facilities here.

“The signalised junction gives a clear signal for motorists to stop and for pedestrians, including those who are visually impaired, when it is safe to cross.

“The new junction is much safer for pedestrians, offering dedicated time at the junction to cross.

“Analysis has shown a perceived safety benefit and an increased demand (certainly on the east arm crossing of Chorley New Road).

“It also makes it safer for traffic to enter Chorley Old Road from New Hall Lane and Moorside Avenue.”

READ MORE: Cameras to monitor Chorley Old Road traffic scheme.

Cameras have been installed at the junction to monitor how the new layout is working.

Transport boss says junction being monitored

Richard Nickson, TfGM's network director for active travel, said: “The traffic-light controlled junction and crossings on Chorley Old Road were designed in accordance with the required standards and form part of a wider ambition to deliver a high-quality network of infrastructure to enable more people to walk, wheel and cycle safely in Greater Manchester.

“We regularly analyse road traffic collision data and if a pattern emerges, further investigations will be considered.

“Evaluation of Bee Network crossings takes place over time and we will be taking people’s feedback on board as part of that exercise.”

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