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Safety a priority at ‘dangerous’ crossing
Reporter: Lewis Jones
Date online: 27 January 2012
Action depends on police findings
THE results of a police investigation will determine what action is taken at a Shaw zebra crossing where a pedestrian died.
Grandmother Lynn Steele (60) died after being hit by a car as she crossed Crompton Way hand-in-hand with her husband, Raymond (65), on January 16.
Police say Mr Steele is now making a significant recovery at Salford Royal Hospital.
The accident prompted local residents to speak out about the dangerous positioning of the crossing at the busy junction.
Fears were raised about the area, where Milnrow Road joins Crompton Way, close to near-by junctions with Salts Street and Linney Lane.
Oldham Council has now moved to assure residents that safety is a priority, but says that action will depend on findings by police.
Councillor Jean Stretton, cabinet member for neighbourhoods, said: “This was a tragic accident and my condolences go to Lynn Steele’s family and friends at what must be a very difficult time.
“The ongoing police investigation will inform our next steps.
“Residents can rest assured that once we have the results of this investigation, appropriate measures to safeguard both pedestrians and motorists will be given due consideration.”
Iltaf Hussain, who owns Taff’s newsagents close to where the accident happened, was first on the scene and was among those calling for change.
He said the site is an accident blackspot and that a pelican crossing would be more suitable for safeguarding pedestrians.
Mrs Steele, who suffered head injuries in the collision with a Toyota Yaris, was described as “young at heart” by her devastated daughter, Sarah.
Comments
From the reports in the paper this was a known accident black spot and it has been ignored .Will cllr Stretton guarantee that action will be taken to prevent this happening again and that cost will not be an issue. When will communities who know the real problems be listened to?
This crossing is bad enough during the day but at night, it's an absolute death trap for pedestrians. As you approach it by car from Shaw going towards Milnrow, the Belisha beacon on the left of the road is completely obscured by trees until you are almost on top of it - and that is now whilst there are no leaves on the trees. Coming from the opposite direction, it's obscured by a bend in the road. It needs conversion to a Pelican crossing.
Road safety is only a concern for Oldham council if the improvements are cheap enough. Anything that requires fundamental change is dressed up and left alone. I travel the Milnrow road route daily, the jubilee bend is a disaster waiting to happen and if you care to notice, the black and white zebra pattern on the crossing are almost worn away. Oldham council were responsible for allowing the largest retail distributor into Shaw yet appear to totally ignore any road safety issues associated.
Oldham Council are simply paying lip service to safety yet again. When they spent the money on the stretch of road from Shaw to Jubilee they wasted money with speed cameras, silly road markings everywhere, road signs for horses and that ridiculously dangerous layby outside Jans shop. The real issues of lorries mounting the kerb on Jubilee Bends where I walk with my young children everyday and the terribly laid out junction where this sad accident happened.
Timberwolf, I have to agree with you about the black and white marking being worn away. The other night I drove along the road towards The Big Lamp and noticed the street lighting was very bright, the takeaway sign-age, the junctions with Salt St and Linney Lane all contribute to being distracted whilst driving in the area.
While agreeing with the above sentiments completely, is it not the case that before long Shaw is going to be a succession of pelican crossings! What is needed is a 20mph speed limit through Shaw from the Rochdale Road lights to the Jubilee Bend. It is approx 1 mile in length and will not inconvenience anyone that much! Better to be driving at 20 than not at all. How about it Oldham Council?
Thats not a bad idea Dave but it does have one flaw. Who would enforce it? Almost daily i witness vehicles going through red lights at the crompton way lights. The roads are not Policed as they used to be, we have much more traffic and fewer traffic police! I still feel a subway would be the best way to protect pedestrians at the zebra crossing, Pelican lights are not a safeguard.
Have Your Say
What a load of waffle and nonsense from the council. The crossing is badly located and dangerous so sort it out. Anyone with half a brain can see it.
By Max Damage @ 27/01/2012 15:37:49