Shortening the bus lane on a major road that has become notorious for crashes and accidents “is going through.”
St Helens Road in Daubhill has been plagued by collisions over recent months and years, some of serious or event fatal.
In September council officials announced they would be shortening a bus lane, which had been causing “congestion and confusion” and have now said the legal process is underway.
Council cabinet member for transport, housing and highways Cllr Hamid Khurrum: “I am pleased to confirm that the council is moving ahead with shortening the bus lane on St Helens Road.
“Recent information circulating on social media has given rise to incorrect rumours that this will not be happening.
“I can state firmly and clearly that the shortening of the bus lane is going through the legal process by amending the Traffic Regulation Order.
“These things cannot happen overnight, and the council has to ensure all the relevant legal requirements are followed.
“Once this has been done, work will commence.”
The most devastating crash this year on St Helens Road came in June left grandmother Karen Kiblin dead after a two car collision.
Just a month later another crash was reported on the road, which leads from Over Hulton through Daubhill and on to the town centre.
At a council meeting in September, independent Rumworth Councillor Ayyub Patel said that residents had often complained about people not using the bus lane correctly.
He said that it created “confusion and congestion” and called for measures to be taken to improve the traffic flow.
He has now welcomed confirmation that the legal process on shortening the bus lane has begun.
Cllr Patel said: “The bus lane is definitely one of the things that has been causing challenges and issues for road users and for pedestrians.
“So, we definitely welcome news that the council will be shortening the bus lane near the Asda.”
He added: “We’re not sure yet how much the bus lane will be shortened by but its still welcome news for the residents.”
Work on shortening the bus lane will still get underway despite recent reports that Bolton Council and Transport for Greater Manchester had not done analysis on the site.
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This had led to speculation that work would not be carried out on the site at all, which the area’s representatives have refuted.
Bolton West MP Phil Brickell said: “I was surprised to see rumours circulating on social media that the work to the bus lane would not be carried out.
“I have been heavily involved in discussions on behalf of residents and I have not heard anything of the sort.
“I am pleased to hear that the Council has squashed those rumours with their clear statement.
“This is a victory for common sense.”
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