RESIDENTS who protested against speed humps planned for their area are delighted the scheme has been scrapped.

Nearly 400 people signed a petition against speed humps in Ainsworth Lane, Tonge Moor, which was handed to Bolton Council.

The humps, which would have been between Archer Avenue and Bury Road, were suggested after planning permission was granted for housing on vacant land in Jethro Street.

Bolton Council's environmental services department consulted people about the plan, with letters sent to householders, and 60 per cent of the 103 people who replied were in favour of the scheme.

Cllr Nick Peel, the Executive Member for Environment, gave the scheme the go-ahead, but resident Mike Tidy felt it was an unfair reflection and set up a petition.

Bolton Council scrapped the scheme after receiving the 395 signature petition, and are now looking at alternative traffic calming measures.

Ainsworth Lane already has speed humps between Archer Avenue and Thicketford Road, which have proved unpopular with residents.

Mr Tidy, aged 69, said on behalf of the residents: "We are delighted that this is not going to go ahead.

"Humps cause damage to vehicles, cause discomfort to passengers and slow down emergency services. The other half of Ainsworth Lane has speed humps which have not worked.

"It only inconveniences sensible drivers, but the idiots still speed down there.

"A speed camera would be a more appropriate way to slow down the traffic."

As a condition of the planning approval for the former scrapyard site in Jethro Street, the developer had to give money to the council for traffic calming measures.

Cllr Nick Peel said: "A decision on the scheme was due to be made at a planning and highways committee meeting but it was pulled from the agenda to look for alternatives.

"There may be other things we can do with the money from the developer to make the area safer.

"We received a substantial petition from residents and at the end of the day we are not in the business of forcing these traffic calming measures on them if they clearly do not want that."