"What will it take?" Urgent call for change on troubled Greater Manchester road used as 'racetrack'

An outraged councillor has made an urgent call for speed and traffic calming measures to be introduced to a troubled road in Greater Manchester.

A petition has been launched by Middleton councillor Dylan Williams over a spate recent collisions on Grimshaw Lane, at Middleton Junction as he raised issue with the lack of safety crossings, lighting and cameras.

Coun Williams blasted drivers that use the road as a 'racing track', resulting in 'multiple serious crashes' as he warned of future deaths if measures are not taken.

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"As well as being a busy main road, including a double decker bus route, it is also a residential street, home to large and small businesses and is in close proximity to two local schools," Coun Williams wrote as part of the recently launched petition.

"Grimshaw Lane has been subject to multiple crashes in the last few months alone. We believe the amount of crashes surely makes Grimshaw Lane the most dangerous road in the borough. Incidents have not only disrupted daily journeys but have resulted in significant damage to properties, gardens, vehicles, and street furniture."

Rochdale Council said it has been in contact with Coun Williams and local MP Graham Stringer to 'discuss concerns' and that funding has been applied for to see a speed survey carried out.

Coun Williams told the M.E.N that, along with ward colleagues and local residents, traffic calming measures have been demanded 'for some time', including the implementation of speed bumps, cameras, additional crossings and improved lighting.

"We warned that without action, it would not be long until a fatality occurred on this road," he said.

"My ward colleagues and I, along with local residents, will continue to fight for a safer Grimshaw Lane and have recently put in for another two speed surveys to be carried out. What will it take to make this road safer? Especially with its close proximity to major local schools, community centre, shops, warehouses, a care home and nursery.

"I find it astonishing that there is a full 0.7 mile stretch of this busy road with no safe crossing at all, especially as this is the section most used by school children and workers.

"Due to its very close proximity to a major secondary school we strongly fear a child could be killed crossing the road. The status quo cannot continue."

A Rochdale Borough Council spokesperson said: "We recently met with Councillor Williams and the local MP, Graham Stringer, to discuss their wider concerns about road safety in this area and have since applied for funding to allow us to undertake speed surveys to better understand the issues on this stretch of road and determine if any interventions are required.”