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Safety camera green light on danger road
Reporter: Richard Hooton
Date online: 17/12/2009
SPEED cameras are to be installed at a notorious accident blackspot which has claimed nine lives in 11 years.
Following a groundswell of public concern over a spate of smashes, road safety chiefs have confirmed they will erect cameras on Lees Road — between Clarksfield and Lees.
It’s not yet known when they will be installed but more traffic calming measures, such as central islands, could follow.
While speed cameras remain a controversial option for many motorists who view them as a cash cow for the Government, council chiefs stress the safety of the public is the top priority.
Highways officers completed a detailed investigation into the busy road following the death of 15-year-old Chris Dale, who was hit by a car on June 13, close to the junction with Wellyhole Street.
Their report examined past collisions and instances of vehicles failing to give way at the junction.
The findings showed that the number of accidents and traffic speeds have fallen significantly in recent years but new measures should be considered.
Oldham East and Saddleworth MP Phil Woolas had fired off letters to Oldham Council and road safety groups calling for improved safety measures.
He has now received a letter from Drivesafe, the Greater Manchester Casualty Reduction Partnership, confirming that the council’s request for the cameras has been successful.
Project manager Mike Downes said every effort would be made to have them up and running at the earliest opportunity.
Mr Woolas added: “I’m very satisfied they have acted on my concerns. This announcement will save lives and stop the pain and suffering of families.
“I want to pay tribute to Oldham Youth Council (who campaigned for safety measures). Sometimes it takes young people to tell the rest of us what’s important.
“The idea that speed cameras exist as a surrogate tax is nothing more than bar room gossip. Speed cameras are proven to save lives.”
One of the road’s worst fatalities took place in December, 2003, when 16-year-old pals and budding footballers Christian Leyden and Anthony Hughes died after the car they were travelling in was hit at the bottom of Wellyhole Street. There have been numerous non-fatal accidents this year.
Councillor Mark Alcock said: “I know some people have reservations about these cameras, but the emphasis here is on accident prevention.
“Speed cameras were part of a package of measures which our report outlined last month.
“We are still looking at providing additional central islands, which would control the path of vehicles and offer better crossing facilities for pedestrians.”
Have Your Say
The last time the council installed traffic 'safety' measures on this road (Lydgate to Grasscroft) there was a spate of fatalities, so please lets not have Oldhams roads people messing it up again. This road suffers from some of the worst congestion in Oldham making it worse is not the answer. Making sure people drive safely is a better way
oh dear! they really dont have a clue do they?
most accidents along there where not speed related.
like in most other places around the borough!
"Speed cameras are proven to save lives" codswallop! i look forward to the camera getting put up and the accidents continuing!
Better road design like removing the joke of a bus line that cartax use freely to jump the daily que instead of a cash cow generator
Well it didn't take long for a winger to shout "cash cow". Utter rubbish of course but facts don't matter. If they wanted a "cash cow" they could put them all over the town, in the bus lanes and at lights catching red light jumpers and they would get millions. No money from me as I obey the rules. Simple really. As for "fedup" What a dreadful comment, "looking forward to accidents continuing". Sick man.
OldhamWatcher what facts? You mean the ones that are never verified. And we all know they could not put them all over, look at Yorkshire Street, taxis stopped that one. Also ombc does not prosecute for driving/parking in bus lanes unlike Manchester.
Having driven up & down lees road on a daily basis for about the last 30 years I can't see that a camera on that stretch will make much difference to most people. The congestion keeps the speeds well under 30mph most of the day, and the visibility is good there so speeding cars will simply slam their brakes on as the approch the camera. As for calming measures, surely that just means more roadside furniture which will probably end up causing serious injuries to whoever crashes there next.
I think you have missinterpreted fedups point OldhamWatcher looking forward does not necessarily mean 'with pleasure' it's a prediction! As for Cash cows if you read the article you will see that it is discussed and they are controversial. They are all over the town and the council does get a rake off! BTW it's spelled 'whinger'.
Get rid of the bus lane,that most drivers passing through this area dont understand and narrow the road to make it look less like a fast open road.What happened to original speed camera on this strech of road?
As for Woolas,s comment --sucking up to his voters again.
i agree with "fedup" here!! a camera ISNT going to make a jot of difference on this piece of road!! a STOP line at the bottom of wellyhole street would be a start. some antiskid on the corner would help too, as would a pedestrian crossing island and some speed chevrons!! all people will do for a camera is slow down till they pass it and speed up again!! cash cow?? you betcha!!
This is a pointless piece of work. The presence of a speed camera would not have prevented any of the deaths or accidents on the road. Would a speed camera have prevented the fatality at County End? NO!!!!!!
Woolas is just electioneering for next May.
many thanks flake for clarifying it to OldhamWatcher.
i feel sorry for all those who have lost friends and love ones on this stretch of road, i lost a friend on here myself.
i am only looking forward to to council being proved wrong on this. poor road design is the main cause of the accidents. not speed! a camera is not the answer here!
Surely the safest measure here is to install traffic lights at the junction of Lees Road and Wellyhole Street?
The cost shouldn't be an issue, nothing is as valuable as an innocent life being taken.
By MarkH @ 17/12/2009 12:56:22
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