A COUNCILLOR has defended the installation of new traffic lights and a pedestrian crossing in Tonge Moor.

Councillor Nick Peel said the scheme would save lives, even though it has caused long delays for drivers.

And he urged motorists to be patient while work is carried out to fit state-of-the-art sensor equipment on the traffic lights at the junction of Crompton Way and Thicketford Road.

The traffic lights have caused long delays for motorists during the morning rush hour since they were installed last month, with traffic sometimes backed up along Thicketford Road.

But residents have campaigned for months to have traffic lights and a pedestrian crossing installed on that junction after a number of road deaths.

They handed a 1,650-name petition to Bolton Council last year calling for new lights, and highways bosses spent £75,000 on the scheme.

Now, after a string of complaints from motorists and Councillor Walter Hall - Cllr Peel has decided to speak out against the growing wave of criticism.

The Tonge Moor councillor said: "Residents have fought for more than a year to get a set of traffic lights and pedestrian crossing installed on this junction.

"There is strong feeling among the community that this junction is dangerous.

"It has been a hard-fought battle for them and it's great that the lights and pedestrian crossing have been installed.

"But motorists have to be patient while important work is carried out on the traffic lights. The lights have had some teething problems but we are hoping that the problem will be resolved by next month when new equipment is installed.

"The vast majority of people in Tonge Moor, including myself and MP David Crausby, have supported the scheme, which we hope will cut down on the number of road traffic accidents and save lives."