Andy Lord is calling for more crossings on our busy roads following the recent tragic incident on Market Street in Whitworth, where a woman in her 70s lost her life after being hit by a van while crossing the road.
Andy said “Both Shawclough Road and Whitworth Road are used by traffic travelling between Rochdale and Bacup, and we need to see more clearly marked and conveniently placed crossings on these roads to provide safe places for our community to cross.”
Currently, Healey Ward offers only two designated crossings: one on Whitworth Road near Gale Street and the other outside Falinge High School on Falinge Road. With the next nearest crossing over 2 miles away at the junction of Market Street and Hall Street in Whitworth, the safety of residents crossing our roads is seriously compromised.
We are calling immediately for:
A Zebra Crossing for Shawclough Road, serving as a vital link for the frequently used Cycle Route 92, which is often blocked by parked cars, making road crossings extremely dangerous.
A Pelican Crossing near Healey Corner to provide a safe passage for residents and visitors.
Andy Lord added, “It is vital that we secure these crossings to prevent any more fatalities.”
Safety Delayed is Safety Denied
The recent success in lobbying Rochdale Council to extend double yellow lines in Fallowfield Drive was a victory for local residents and a testament to the power of community activism.
However, the council's announcement that implementation will be delayed for another year is a bitter pill to swallow.
Andy Lord told Focus that "Residents rightly question why it takes so long to address a matter of public safety, especially when the solution has already been approved."
Local roads and traffic
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