Councillor calls for roads to be addressed after spate of Halifax Road accidents

A Pennines councillor has called for road safety to be addressed following three serious traffic accidents in a month on Halifax Road.

Councillor John Taylor, of the Wardle and West Littleborough ward, has written to the local Police Commander, Deputy Mayor for Policing across Greater Manchester, director of Neighbourhoods at Rochdale Borough Council and leaders of both major political parties in the Borough seeking a collective effort in addressing this.

He said: “In the last month there have been three very serious accidents on the main A58 and one near to the bottom of Birch Road.

“The actions of a few mindless morons are endangering the safety and wellbeing of every other road user and their actions need to be stopped.

“Residents are rightly concerned and angered about road safety and I share all the concerns that have been brought to my attention.

“Thanks to all those who have taken to time to contact me and be assured I take the issues about the dangerous use of vehicles very seriously.

“Responses across the political spectrum are encouraging and I do believe we can make a positive impact on what has become the most pressing issue we face at the moment. This is a personal safety issue with the potential to affect everyone.

Councillor Taylor will also raise these concerns with the police neighbourhood inspector on Monday (10 September) and with the Director of Neighbourhoods on Tuesday (11 September).

He continued: “We are becoming increasingly vulnerable on our roads due to the dangerous and criminal actions of a few, this needs to be addressed at all levels of local service delivery – something I raised at the last full council meeting, which my first one, and will raise again at the next one with a view to positive action being taken.

“On Saturday I will be at the Wardle Fete in our Conservative gazebo – please feel free to pass on your concerns to us.

“At 7.00pm on Tuesday 18 September, the Littleborough and Wardle Community Meeting will be held at the United Reform Church on Victoria Street – please attend and make your voice heard.”

How can you help?

If you see vehicles being driven dangerously, please report it to highways. They will log the incident and build up a picture of just how dangerous our roads are becoming.

Highways can be contacted via email at highways@rochdale.gov.uk or on 0300 303 8879.

Alternatively, email your local ward councillors, who will forward the details on.