CONCERNED residents have turned out in force to investigate traffic plans for a notorious accident spot.

People talked to engineers from Bolton Council about the traffic proposals in Astley Bridge which are likely to include the partial closure of Seymour Road.

Traffic engineers were based at St Paul's Primary School for four hours armed with maps and explanations for the many visitors.

There had been fears that the traffic survey could become confusing after the council sent out hundreds of forms with the wrong instructions.

But as most people support the closure of Seymour Road, council officers remain confident the forms will not create too many problems and the most suitable solution can still be pushed forward.

Many of the people chatting to council engineers expressed their interest in traffic calming measures such as road-humps rather than or as well as the proposed road closure.

Mrs Elaine Cooper, who has lived in Brindley Street for 17 years, is keen for road-humps to be installed in Newnham Road as she fears the closure of Seymour Road will lead to even more drivers opting for that route as a shortcut.

She said: "We can all sympathise with the residents of Seymour Road because they've put up with a lot.

"But my biggest fear is that a child will be hurt near St Paul's School because there are no signs telling motorists to slow down and many of them are travelling at 50 or 60mph along Newnham Road.

"I won't even drive along Seymour Road because it's so horrendous."

Bolton Council group engineer Terry Bullock was impressed so many people had taken the time to look at the proposals.

He said: "We've had mixed reactions which is what we were expecting, but in the main people seem to support the full closure of Seymour Road.

"I hope the scheme will be implemented before the end of the year.

"But it will be introduced experimentally at first just to see how it goes."

Seymour Road has become notorious for serious traffic accidents with many motorists using the road as a "rat run", despite the considerable number of parked cars.

Last month three-year-old Guy Higham escaped with cuts and bruises after his mother, 40-year-old Heather, pushed him aside from the path of an oncoming car in Seymour Road.