Traffic concerns in Castleton

Speeding and ‘red light’ offences were the main concerns discussed at the latest Castleton forum on Tuesday (4 September).

A wide range of topics concerning residents were discussed in depth, including the current spate of speeding and 'red light' offences on Manchester Road, particularly at the Nixon Street junction and the two pelican crossings in the village.

Sergeant Michelle Farmer explained the successful steps the police are taking to apprehend speeding and law-breaking drivers, but it was made clear that any preventative measures to calm traffic had a financial impact on funds available.

Forum member Frank Salt said: “The latest collision resulted in the driver being arrested at the scene on drink driving charges.'”

An email from the Highways Department set out the criteria for the positioning of speed cameras and other preventative measures.

The cold calculation of the numbers of fatalities at a specific part of the roadway led to one resident expressing their shock at this measurement’s callousness.

Other traffic-related topics were discussed in the open forum including the parking of heavy lorries on Silk Street, which has for many years caused damage to the footpath curb edges, as at the junction of Manchester Road and Royle Barn Road, caused by lorries turning left in both directions.

It was generally agreed by the forum that further traffic calming measures are urgently needed all along Manchester Road if recent fatalities and dangerous driving incidents are not to be repeated with innocent loss of life. 

A petition is gaining strength following Rochdale Online's recent story of a near miss by a family at the Nixon Street junction, with over 650 signatures to date.

https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/138/community-news/121737/petition-to-introduce-speed-cameras-at-castleton-junction

Sign the petition:

https://www.change.org/p/rochdale-council-and-local-councillors-for-castleton-traffic-and-speed-cameras-manchester-road-castleton-rochdale