I MUST complain about the complete and utter shambles surrounding the closure of Bolton Road. As a resident of Bolton Road, near its junction with Marlborough and Shakereley Lane, I can only say that the planning of this closure has had some serious flaws.

As I sit here on only day two, we have a situation where cars, vans and lorries are coming down Newbrook Road into Bolton Road in alarming numbers, only to find that the road is closed. It’s currently 20.43pm and I have just watched 23 cars suddenly get to the bridge to find it closed.

There is obviously a severe lack of adequate signs as you come down Newbrook, why is there not a “Road closed at Bolton Road and Marlborough Road access to residents only” sign closing the road to perhaps single vehicle access to highlight the closure?

This would appear to more common sense.

The situation at the moment is that commuters to Atherton train station are using the bottom end of Bolton Road and access roads as a car park, a situation which is clearly causing concern for residents who are having difficulty getting out of their drives. Not to mention the fact that they are hindering the turnaround of the buses, in spite of the fact that the council (sic) has removed the central reservations and bollards from Bolton Road and Marlborough road.

I have just had to ask someone not to park too close to the access to my drive so that my family can get our vehicles out in the morning, only to have abuse hurled at me.

Vehicles are being parked indiscriminately, straddling drives and parked on the pavement. Surely there should be parking restrictions whilst this work is being conducted to allow residents free movement.

The road and traffic is dire enough when its open but is even worse now it’s closed!

Alan Jones Bolton Road Atherton