AS a resident of Heaton, I would like to express my wholehearted agreement with opinions expressed in your recent article about the over-development of Chorley New Road and its environs.
Of course, there is a case to be made for stopping the destruction of the general ambience and architectural style of the area and Peter Hope, representing the Civic Trust, makes this admirably. There are also other matters concerning people such as Road Safety. Over the last 40 years Chorley New Road has suffered more than its fair share of tragic accidents, not to mention a host of less serious bumps involving damage to motor vehicles.
As a small boy, I remember a doctor's daughter, before the introduction of traffic lights, being killed on a zebra crossing near to Somerset Road. The death of a motorcyclist at the junction of Chorley New Road with Tudor Avenue/Somerset Road last year is merely the latest in a long line of serious occurrences. The Victoria Road/Beaumont Road junction is equally notorious and the list of fatal and serious accidents there also goes back over the years.
The traffic is already frightening; just try your hand as a pedestrian. The speed limits are flaunted with impunity: the 30 mph limit from New Hall Lane is almost universally ignored. Indeed, to drive at the correct (and safe) speed is to incur the absolute wrath of other drivers and to have them hanging on to one's bumper with great impatience.
Given this situation and background, one might imagine that the council would be reticent about giving planning permission for such a highly residential and highly built up area. Not so! This council and all before them have handed out permission to build on any and every piece of available land. Every extra house or apartment means at least one extra car and, in many cases two or three extra cars using Chorley New Road regularly. In turn this leads to greater risk to road safety, more pollution and the lessening of the area's desirability. Recently, two semi-detached Victorian villas were demolished to make room for no less than seven "detached" houses at prices starting at £425,000! No wonder the developers don't want to refurbish existing properties when they can pocket the profits on multi build new properties like these.
Bolton has become a desirable area for people who work in Manchester and the demand for houses in the best areas, including Heaton and Lostock, will only increase in the future. If we, as the custodians of the future, wish to leave a legacy of a pleasant and safe Bolton to future generations, then we must accept the responsibility of controlling the environment and particularly limiting the amount and type of building allowed in areas we want to remain attractive parts of the town.
Philip Worsley
Chorley New Road
Heaton, Bolton
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