Concerns raised about the safety of Townhead Junction

Road traffic collision at Townhead Junction

Concerns have been raised about the safety of Townhead Junction after a fifth accident in just five days.

Two drivers were taken to hospital following a collision on Tuesday morning and Rochdale Online has been made aware of four accidents over the weekend (Friday 20 November – Tuesday 24 November), which many residents believe were the cause of the new traffic light signals.

Amie Hannam, who was involved in an accident at the junction on Friday evening, said: “I was coming from Littleborough/Wardle way and was turning up Whitworth Road. Then all of a sudden I was hit by a car straight on. No one seems to know the traffic lights now and how they work.

"I was told that an accident on Saturday night happened due to the same problem.

"Rochdale Council needs to do something about this. Before they changed everything, people knew where to go but now they don’t.”

Luckily, Amie was not severely injured and only suffered cuts and bruises as a result of the accident.

A concerned resident contacted Rochdale Online and explained the traffic light issue. He said: “Traffic travelling from St Mary’s Gate to Yorkshire Street get a green light to proceed. Traffic travelling the opposite direction initially have a red light.

"After a period of time, the traffic travelling from Yorkshire Street to St Mary’s get a green light whilst traffic in the other direction continues to have a green light.

"For traffic turning right at this point from Yorkshire Street onto Whitworth Road, there is no filter light. Drivers therefore simply get a green light and turn across on-coming traffic.

"This is a very dangerous situation as slow moving cars are being hit side on by cars travelling at 40 mph.”

Former Rochdale councillor, Farooq Ahmed is concerned at the danger presented at the junction and wants those responsible for its new design to face Rochdale Township.

He said: “Townhead Junction is absolutely ridiculous now. It is a nightmare. Over the weekend there were three accidents and now there has been one today. People are confused by the new traffic light signals and whoever designed this needs to be put in front of a panel or the Rochdale Township Committee to answer the concerns of residents.

“I can’t say that this is an accident waiting to happen, because they are already happening, but someone will be killed if this continues.”

Improvements to Townhead Junction were recently completed following a lengthy amount of work. Despite Rochdale Council stating that the improvements were to “increase capacity through the junction and improve safety for drivers and pedestrians,” many residents can’t see what changes have been made and are concerned that the road is now more danger than before.

Steve Reay, Head of Highways at Rochdale Borough Council, said: “The changes to the Townhead junction are designed to improve traffic flow and early indications suggest this is working. The vast majority of drivers are negotiating the new road layout safely but, unfortunately, a small number of drivers have ignored the new traffic signals, putting themselves and other road users in danger. Drivers should never make manoeuvres without being certain it is safe to do so.”