A BOLTON woman is leading a campaign for safety measures on a road which she claims is endangering the lives of local children. Mrs Charmain Trundle, 23, decided to make a stand after her friend next door was injured crossing Bury Road, Tonge Fold, last Thursday. Irena Bolton was crossing the road towards the Black Horse pub with seven-year-old daughter Autumn, when the accident happened.

Bury Road is one of the main arteries into Bolton town-centre and is busy throughout the day.

Mrs Bolton and her daughter had walked between stationary cars and were in collision with a Rover 213 while they were waiting in the middle of the road. Both suffered head, face and body injuries, but were not detained in hospital. The collision happened when a car moved out of a line of stationary traffic and drove up on the outside.

Charmain, who lives on Bury Road, said residents were particularly concerned for the safety of children.

She explained: "I have two young boys and I am worried not only for their safety, but for that of all the children who live near the road."

"Crossing is too dangerous and we think it is time something was done. We think that if we stick together and make our feelings public, then someone might listen. I have lived here for four years and have seen at least 10 accidents in that time. I have even seen people hit on the pelican crossing, it is that bad.

"Drivers treat the road as a dual carriageway. But it is too narrow for that and cars in the outside lane are driving too close to the middle.

"We want traffic islands every few hundred yards to keep the cars in single file. It is impossible to cross the road in one go anyway.

"A few years ago, before I moved here, people living in the houses near Crompton Way were asked if they wanted to move so their houses could be knocked down to make way for a dual carriageway. But traffic would have been able to travel faster if the dual carriageway had been built"

A Bolton Council spokesman responded: "A list of highway improvements is reviewed and updated every year. Work is carried out as soon as possible, but there is only a limited amount of money available.

"If Mrs Trundle contacts Dave Sutton, Acting Head of Highway Planning and Regulation at the Town Hall, he will have a look at the situation. She should also contact her ward councillor."

People who witnessed the accident outside the Black Horse at about 5.45pm, on Thursday, September 12, are asked to ring the police on (0161) 872 5050.

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