RESIDENTS say they were left struggling to cope with a "nightmare road" after Bolton Council ignored a plea to help ease congestion.

Greenland Road has become a haven for motorists avoiding parking charges at Royal Bolton Hospital according to residents.

Tony McCarthy has been campaigning to have restrictions put in place to stop the congestion in the road, which is also close to Mount St Joseph school.

Mr McCarthy said: "Since parking charges were introduced it has become a nightmare for the residents of the roads off Minerva Road.

"Staff and visitors use the roads as a free car park leaving nowhere for people visiting residents to park.

"I've been trying to get parking restrictions in place on the road and roads around the hospital since October.

"I was informed the no entry signs would cost too much to install as they need lights.

"I was led to believe the road would be included in the streets being made 20 mile per hour zones and we could then push for parking restrictions but it hasn't been included at all.

"It's like they are not bothered at all for the safety of the children at the school or the impact on the lives of the residents."

Mr McCarthy added that the nearby estate in Waters Edge had been included in the 20 mile per hour zone but Greenland Road should have taken precedence due to its location next the busy school site.

Cllr Nick Peel, the council’s executive member for community safety said Greenland Road was included in the council’s plans for a roll out of 20 mile per hour zones in the borough.

Money invested into the scheme has made it possible to introduce the roll out of 75 percent of the streets earmarked for the zones .

He said the budget for the next financial year providing funding for the remaining streets.

Cllr Peel said: “We will finish all the streets off in the first phase of the next financial year.

“I have explained to Mr McCarthy that his street may not be done in the next few weeks but is going to be done in the next few months. It is going to happen.”