A NUMBER of roads could have their speed limits cut from 60mph to 50mph — but calls have been made for a greater reduction.

Plans have been revealed to alter the restrictions in parts of Chorley Old Road, Old Kiln Lane, Walker Fold Road, Colliers Row Road, Scout Road and Smithills Dean Road.

A report drawn up by an officer at Bolton Council revealed the recommendations had come as part of a Greater Manchester speed limit review.

Old Kiln Lane was the site of a serious crash in 2007 when Jonny Sharples and Danny Harrison, both aged 17, died when their car smashed into a tree.

The report went to a meeting of the authority's executive cabinet member for environmental services on Monday and will go before the Cabinet in the near future.

The document read: "The proposed 50 mph has been put forward in order to meet the Department of Transport recommendation with the aim of speed management policies to achieve a safe distribution of speeds consistent with the speed limits of the road environment and surrounding roads, in this case Belmont Road and Chorley Old Road.

"By consistently linking the length of roads (Scout Road, Colliers Row Road and Walker Fold Road) with Belmont Road and Chorley Old this will make the traffic move at a consistent speed below or at the posted speed limit having regard to the traffic conditions and remove any confusion.

"The proposed speed limit of 50mph, should be seen as the maximum rather than a target speed at which to drive.

"The nature of roads and their features as well as the consideration of the users, both on foot or riding, are all self-explanatory and evidence-led to the driver's assessment of what is a safe speed to travel. This is evident in the low accident records during the last five years."

The new speed limits would affect Chorley Old Road between its junctions with Old Kiln Lane and Bottom O'th Moor and Old Kiln Lane between the A58 Moss Bank Way to Chorley Old Road.

It would also be brought in for Scout Road, from its junction with Colliers Row Road to the Bolton boundary, and Smithills Dean Road between Jesmond Road and Scout Road.

The entire lengths of Walker Fold Road and Colliers Row Road would become 50mph as well.

The estimated cost of the legal order is £3,106 while the cost of removing and installing signs is £8,000.

The scheme will be funded by the Smithills and Horwich North East area forums.

But people objected to the plans during the consultation towards the end of last year believing there should be a reduction to 40mph.

Cllr Richard Silvester, who represents Horwich North East on Bolton Council, submitted comments to the authority.

He said: "I am firmly of the belief that a 40mph speed limit should be introduced throughout on all of the roads instead of the 50mph as proposed.

"I support the majority of the respondents to the consultation, 17 (89.47%) of them out of 19 who objected to the proposed 50 mph speed limit and proposed a 40 mph speed limit instead.

"It is proven that when the speed limit is lowered significantly, that drivers also lower their speed but even if they do speed above the limit, it is likely to be less than the previous maximum speed limit.

“Therefore if all of these roads were to become 40mph, this would be consistent and completely joined up to the existing 40mph areas so all of this area would have the same speed limit.

"It would therefore not be confusing for motorists and would be much safer all around for every type of road and highway user.

"As a member of one of the area forums, which has decided to allocate monies towards this legal notice, I am thoroughly disappointed that 50mph is being proposed especially for Walker Fold Road when we were given the impression that 40mph would be proposed."

But the report stated a 40mph speed limit would be 'unrealistically low for such a rural area' and that would not be effective.