No plans for speed cameras at Dean Head, despite frequency of traffic accidents

Despite a number of traffic accidents over the years at Dean Head in Littleborough, the area does not meet criteria for speed cameras, Rochdale Borough Council has said.

Residents of the area have been lobbying for speed cameras, following a number of accidents dating back to 2002.

After bollards and street lights were seriously damaged in September last year, followed by a car overturning in December, residents aired their concerns that the existing bollards were “not enough” to calm the traffic.

• www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/124964/littleborough-residents-want-further-traffic-calming-measures-after-car-overturns
• www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/123763/repairs-on-dean-head-to-be-completed-by-end-of-next-week

 

 

More recently, a cyclist received serious injuries after a collision at Dean Head and was airlifted to hospital.

• www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/129449/cyclist-airlifted-to-hospital-with-serious-injuries

One local resident said: “The road is very dangerous as the bend is treated as a racetrack by many, especially when it is dark. We need some help as residents here. We need to get speed cameras before there are deaths, because this is a racetrack for idiots.”

However, Rochdale Borough Council says the area does not meet the conditions for introducing speed cameras.

Andrew Storey, head of highways at Rochdale Borough Council, said: “We constantly review collision statistics on our highways network and introduce measures to make the roads safer wherever we can.

“Road accidents can occur for a variety of reasons, such as driver impairment, adverse weather, poor judgement or drink or drug driving. Strict national criteria govern the introduction of speed cameras and new ones can only be introduced if these conditions are met.

“At present, this location does not meet these criteria.”