Only one way to solve this traffic problem...

Date published: 20 January 2016


A YOUNG mum is spearheading a campaign to reduce the speed and volume of traffic on her street.

Debbie Atkinson (32) has launched a Facebook group and petition calling for traffic calming measures on Chamber Road and Church Road in Shaw.

The mum and her partner, Wayne Ankers, believe it is only a matter of time before there’s a fatal accident and are demanding the council acts.

The couple, who have two young children — Betty (3) and Ronnie (7 months) — say they have seen a huge increase in traffic using the road, which runs from the Big Lamp roundabout to Rochdale Road, to avoid the Crompton Way by-pass.

They say Chamber Road is too congested - used by HGVs and double-decker buses - and that cars regularly exceed the 30mph speed limit.

Their campaign has been backed by a large number of residents of Church Road and Chamber Road.

Parish councillors were last week given a draft proposal for a one-way system for the two roads by Wayne (38) and Debbie. The plan was welcomed by councillors, who will ask traffic officers to investigate.

Debbie, a teacher, said: “The volume and speed of traffic on Church Road and Chamber Road has been an issue for many years. It’s now got to the point where if action isn’t taken there will be a serious, if not fatal, accident.

“There are lots of families, like ours, with young children living in this area and many schools nearby, but motorists don’t care about that and use our street as a rat run to avoid the bypass and traffic lights.

“Chamber Road isn’t wide enough to accommodate heavy two-way traffic. Residents have to park their cars on the pavements and that makes it difficult for parents with prams to get by.”