Petition to improve safety of Edenfield Road

A petition to improve the safety of Edenfield Road has been started by local residents after a woman was tragically killed in a hit and run just days before Christmas.

Anne Jones, 60, was struck by a car just before 5pm on the road, near the junction with Elmsfield Avenue on 19 December. She was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.
 

Read more: Family pay tribute to 'best mum and wife imaginable' killed in hit and runPublished: 03 January 2022

A man in his 20s was arrested the following day after presenting himself at a police station. No one has yet been charged in relation to the incident.
 

Read more: Man arrested following hit and run in NordenPublished: 20 December 2021

Local residents have now started a petition to improve the road’s safety.

Cheryl Taylor started the petition as she had previously been the victim of a “reckless driver” on Edenfield Road.

She said: “On 19 July 2019, I was the innocent victim of a reckless driver on Edenfield Road. I am very fortunate to still be here and feel it is my duty to fight for those who have not been so lucky and prevent further heartbreak.

“I spent 18 months off work injured and had to have three operations in total. Although I am not without long term injuries and scars, I am one of the lucky ones.

“Unfortunately, the story does not end here. Prior to my accident, I have stopped to assist at three other accidents on Edenfield Road.

“In the past few years, there have been numerous serious injury accidents and two fatal collisions that I am aware of. Likely there will have been more.

“Just before Christmas 2021, a lady living locally was cruelly and brutally killed in a hit and run on this road. Only mere days after this horrific accident, I passed another crashed vehicle just a few hundred yards up the road.”

She added: “Enough is enough! This story of destruction will only end when we end it, by improving road safety.

“In June 2020, I wrote to our three local councillors and Lancashire road safety partnership, and I told them in no uncertain terms: Edenfield Road was in need of road safety improvements and that someone would again be killed if no action was taken.

“On behalf of Norden residents, visitors and commuters, I call for action.”

Cheryl proposes average speed cameras covering the entire three-mile length of Edenfield Road; a pelican crossing near Norden playing field; an Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) camera in the village; a review of all speed limits on the A680; police presence and traffic operations on the road after dark; plus a road safety strategy across the Rochdale borough.

Cheryl added: “Regardless of the outcome of this petition, we shall strive as residents to improve road safety on Edenfield Road and the first step will be a meeting in the coming weeks.

“Thank you all, for your time and consideration; please sign and share this petition.”

 

 

Norden ward councillor Peter Winkler said: "Many residents have already expressed their upset at this [December 2021] incident and have asked what can be done to make Edenfield Road safer; this petition is an example of that feeling. 

"Since the incident, I have invited several people and agencies to meet as part of a new Community Safety Task Group for Norden to investigate what more can be done and prepare a joined-up plan.

"Edenfield Road is a major route through our village, and we know that, despite continued efforts, some drivers still break speed limits and drive dangerously. We are in a constant battle to keep our roads and community safe. 

"In 2021 we introduced new road safety signage in the ward, funded interactive driver-feedback signs which are due to be installed in January 2022, the police have carried out traffic operations (both during the day and at night), and we have met with our MP to highlight the issues here. 

"However, I want to see these individual efforts linked up so that we can pursue bigger initiatives across the ward.

"The new task group won’t be a talking shop that creates an unachievable wish list; we need to be realistic about what can and can’t be done - timescales, crime figures and the bigger picture that leads to this kind of behaviour. 

"I know the public is frustrated and wants to see what is happening so we will use social media, the area forum and the media to keep everyone involved.

"We have done a lot already as individuals, but together more and bigger things are still possible. People have been very vocal on social media recently so I hope we will have the backing of the community going forward."

To sign the petition, please visit Change.org:

• www.change.org/p/rochdale-council-road-safety-improvements-on-the-a680-edenfield-road-from-rochdale-through-to-edenfield