MORE than 1,000 residents have joined forces to reduce the speed limit on a major Radcliffe road.

Homeowners say cars often drive too fast along Radcliffe Moor Road and accidents happen regularly.

Now, residents are calling for the speed limit to be reduced from 40mph to 30mph.

Motorcyclists are of particular concern, with residents claiming that some reach speeds of 80mph on the straight sections of Radcliffe Moor Road and Countess Lane.

"When you hear the noise at night, you just brace yourself for the big bang," said one householder.

Road safety campaigner Mr Allan Ramsey is one of the residents demanding the speed reduction.

He said: "Radcliffe Moor Road is a busy main road for traffic and it is also a busy road for people who walk and cycle to work, with Bradley Fold Trading Estate employing hundreds of local people from the surrounding residential estate.

"Many also walk to the garden centre and to Dobson and Barlows Social Club, which has 900 members. Then there's the public house, the Sparking Clog, and immediately opposite the Curry Cottage Indian restaurant. Waiting to cross from one to the other can be pretty intimidating."

Mr Alf Hollis, secretary of Dobbies social club, said: "Some of our disabled members are too frightened to come to the club because of the fear of speeding traffic."

A number of residents have witnessed motorcyclists performing wheelies along stretches where vehicles have ended up crashing into trees and lamp posts, or into garden walls and fences.

One woman whose rear garden backs onto the road returned home to find a car in her garden inches away from the swing where her children had been playing earlier in the day.

Another resident has had to replace his fences three times due to cars careering into his garden.

Mr Ramsey added: "We recognise that a speed reduction wont stop the speed freaks and speed merchants, however a reduction and better road markings might eventually get the message across to these potential killers that they just arent welcome on our roads.

"We know we cant have a speed camera because we need four fatalities to get one. If something isnt done soon it is only a matter of time before the criteria is met to warrant one."

A spokesman for Bury Council's Highways and Transport Department said: "We are very much aware of concerns of residents in the Radcliffe Moor Road area and as a result a local safety scheme is being drawn up and will go before the next meeting of the Radcliffe Area Board for further discussion.

"The speed limit and what it should be will certainly form part of those discussions."

l The issue of speeding vehicles on Radcliffe Moor Road is due to be debated at the next meeting of the Radcliffe Area Board on Thursday (Oct 7) at Radcliffe Civic Suite at 7pm.