Steps to improve road safety at ‘dangerous’ junction

New measures will be put in place to improve road safety at a ‘dangerous’ junction, despite a petition opposing the move garnering more than 150 signatures.

Councillors have approved proposals to extend ‘no waiting at any time’ restrictions at the well-used intersection of Bamford Road and Heywood Hall Road, in Heywood.

They approved plans to extend the no parking zones on the east side of Bamford Road and south of Heywood Hall Road, by seven and 10 metres respectively.

It comes amid fears that parked cars on Bamford Road are dangerously impairing visibility for drivers turning right from Heywood Hall Road.

And there are also concerns over drivers narrowing Heywood Hall Road by parking up and visiting H&R Schofield newsagents, on the corner of Bamford Road.

Objectors say there is nowhere else for residents to park their vehicles, with one branding it ‘an appalling idea’, citing there have been no serious accidents at the spot.

And the owner of H&R Schofield newsagents has also objected on the grounds that it would ‘deter customers’ and ‘really affect our day-to-day operations and sales’.

But councillors took the view that the junction was essentially an accident waiting to happen, and action was needed to improve safety.

Councillor Jacqui Beswick said: “There have been no accidents, but we are about prevention. It’s a definite safety issue, nobody that goes down there can deny that.

“We don’t want to wait for an accident to happen before saying we will do something about it. I don’t think that what we are about that and if we can prevent accidents that’s what we are here to do.”

Her comments were echoed by fellow committee member, Councillor Liam O’Rourke.

He told the meeting: “It is a dangerous turn out on to Bamford Road from Heywood Hall Road, and the fact there has not been an accident is a minor miracle, rather than by design.”

Councillor O’Rourke said he was sympathetic with residents’ concerns over parking spaces but felt there would still be enough spaces once the new restrictions come into force.

And Councillor Peter Malcolm said it was a ‘problem junction’ and drivers turning right on to Bamford Road often ended up heading into oncoming traffic – as parked cars had effectively created a single lane.

He said: “Unfortunately it’s going to be a bit negative for the residents that are going to lose the car parking. But we must make the double yellow lines go further down Bamford Road, so you have better vision when you are turning right.”

The new measures will also create clearways for both bus stops on Bamford Road, near the junction with Heywood Hall Road.

Councillors also approved the introduction of the no waiting at any time restriction on the west side of Queens Park Road, from its junction with Adelaide Street to Longford Street.

Nick Statham, Local Democracy Reporter