RETURN from holiday to find that our anti-car Lib Dem councillor, David Wilkinson, strikes again.
He admits (Bolton Evening News, August 30) that siting a dirty great mirror-finish sculpture slap bang in the middle of a roundabout will have the effect that "drivers' attention may be diverted from the road".
Rather than re-siting the sculpture somewhere safer, he proposes to reduce the speed limit on the road. He states, "the 50mph limit is a high speed and some people go well above it". On the contrary, 50mph is not a high speed for a dual carriageway, two-lane each way, A-classified road. If a small number of drivers ignore the 50mph limit, then they will also ignore a 40mph limit.
As further justification for reducing the speed limit, he cites, "there is also an increasing number of people crossing the road", and then proposes to install two Toucan traffic light-controlled pedestrian crossings on the road.
A much more sensible argument would be that a four-lane, two-carriageway, A classification highway with a 50mph limit is not a suitable place to consider putting a ground level pedestrian crossing, of any type, in place - the correct solution being a pedestrian overpass or underpass. This would keep pedestrians separate and safe from vehicles and would allow both to flow freely without affecting the other.
I foresee major traffic problems developing at peak movement times, particularly following Wanderers' home games.
Thankfully, the Bolton Evening News reminds us that, "members of the public are currently being consulted on the plans and have until September 19 to make their views known to the Town Hall", and I would urge anyone - motorist, cyclist or pedestrian - to make their objections known.
Mike Francis
Stanley Close
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