Wheels in motion on road-safety plea

FEARFUL . . . Michael Searles

WORRIED residents claim they are living on the edge of a potential disaster zone and are calling for more safety measures on their busy stretch of road.

A car plunged from Milnrow Road near the bridge over the proposed Shaw to Rochdale Metrolink route on Sunday.

A man had to be cut free from his Ford Focus after it overturned and fell part-way down an embankment.

In October 2010 a family had a narrow escape when a car plunged off the road and landed in their back garden.

Homes at this point are below the level of the road: any vehicle leaving the carriageway can potentially plough through a garden fence - the only protection - and land in gardens.

Alan Bostock (40), of St Joseph’s Close, said: “Something needs to be done to slow down these vehicles.”

The local authority proposed a local safety scheme on Milnrow Road in June 2010, after the carriageway was recognised as having a high number of accidents. In three years from February 2006 there were 15 accidents on this stretch of road — six of them causing serious injury or death. Changes were made to the junctions of Buckstones Road, Bridge Street and Smallbrook Road.

Michael Searles, Alan’s next-door neighbour, said: “A metal crash barrier should be introduced to stop a vehicle if it comes off the road, to protect homeowners who live below the bridge.

“What’s barmy is that on the other side of the bridge, where there are no houses, there is more protection than on our side.”

Councillor Dave Hibbert, Oldham Council’s Cabinet member for housing, transport and planning, said: “The police are investigating. Any recommendations will be reviewed by the council’s traffic safety team and implemented as appropriate.

“Oldham Council is committed to reducing accidents on our roads.

“We would like to remind motorists that it is their responsibility to adhere to road traffic regulations and drive with care.”