THE rollout of 20mph speed limits on residential roads in Bolton is continuing, with work now completed in five large areas across the borough.

The reduced speed limit has been introduced on some residential roads in seven wards — Farnworth, Great Lever, Halliwell, Harper Green, Little Lever and Darcy Lever, Smithills, Tonge with The Haulgh.

Two more areas — covering roads in Blackrod, Halliwell and Astley Bridge — will have 20mph zones introduced before the end of May.

This is in addition to a number of 20mph areas which have been introduced previously by the council, and which have been funded through different sources.

Work will continue to be phased in around the borough and about two-thirds of residential roads will have the reduced limit in place by the end of March 2017.

This scheme has been funded from one-off £500,000 capital funding.

A new programme is also being drawn up for an extra £1 million from capital resources which was agreed in February’s budget for highways.

This funding will allow the council to introduce 20mph on additional roads, install new speed warning signs and other speed control measures around the borough.

Bolton Council’s executive cabinet member for environmental services, Cllr Nick Peel, stressed that road safety was a priority for the council.

He said: “We have made an ongoing commitment to improving road safety and reduced speed limits on residential roads will undeniably make our roads safer and help our local communities.

“It might take a while to see the benefits of the lower speed limits but what we do know is that with lower speeds there will be fewer injuries and deaths.

“This is not about us having a go at sensible motorists, this is about us making Bolton’s roads safer for everyone."