BATTLING residents are celebrating victory in their seven year long battle for speed calming measures in the road outside their homes.

For most people the sight of the road on their doorstep being dug up would not be one to relish, but for George Niblo it marks the successful end of a seven year fight.

His quest began when two boys were were almost killed by a speeding car on Long Lane, Breightmet. In addition, thousands of pounds worth of damage was caused to two of his cars and his garden wall was demolished. A young motorist was later convicted of motoring offences.

Mr Niblo said: "There have also been one or two fatalities on Long Lane.

"Cars would come so quickly down the road that I had to drive like a Formula One driver to get out of my drive in one piece.

"Traffic calming measures will bring in a different lifestyle for us all. I feel the improvements really will save lives."

He added: "We were so angry about the situation that four of us set up a committee and have been campaigning for years.

"It has taken such a long time, but we have had terrific support from Cllr John Byrne and our MP David Crausby."

The calming measures include traffic islands, speed humps and traffic lights at the bottom of the road.

Mr Niblo added: "After all the delays, residents were so happy to see work finally taking place that a few came out of their homes and started clapping as the roadworks began."

Over the years, reasons for delays in getting the work done have included a lack of finance and restructuring within Bolton Council.

The local authority is looking to extend the use of traffic calming measures across major roads in the town. Road humps could soon appear on Hulton Lane, Over Hulton and Ainsworth Lane, Tonge Moor.

Cllr Guy Harkin, Bolton's executive member for the environment, said motorists would have to deal with the inconvenience of humps if it helped save lives.

SEVEN YEAR FIGHT: George Niblo outside his Long Lane, Breightmet, home

BATTLING residents are celebrating victory in their seven year long battle for speed calming measures in the road outside their homes.

For most people the sight of the road on their doorstep being dug up would not be one to relish, but for George Niblo it marks the successful end of a long fight.

His quest began when two boys were almost killed by a speeding car on Long Lane, Breightmet. In addition, thousands of pounds worth of damage was caused to two of his cars and his garden wall was demolished. A young motorist was later convicted of motoring offences.

Mr Niblo said: "There have also been one or two fatalities on Long Lane.

"Cars would come so quickly down the road that I had to drive like a Formula One driver to get out of my path in one piece.

"Traffic calming measures will bring in a different lifestyle for us all. I feel the improvements really will save lives."

He added: "We were so angry about the situation that four of us set up a committee and have been campaigning for years.

"It has taken such a long time, but we have had terrific support from Cllr John Byrne and our MP David Crausby."

The calming measures include traffic islands, speed humps and traffic lights at the bottom of the road.

Mr Niblo added: "After all the delays, residents were so happy to see work finally taking place that a few came out of their homes and started clapping as the roadworks began."

Over the years, reasons for delays in getting the work done have included a lack of finance and restructuring within Bolton Council.

The local authority is looking to extend the use of traffic calming measures across major roads in the town. Road humps could soon appear on Hulton Lane, Over Hulton and Ainsworth Lane, Tonge Moor.

Cllr Guy Harkin, Bolton's executive member for the environment, said motorists would have to deal with the inconvenience of humps if it helped save lives.