Fog descends on Bolton and out came the flares and lamps

This was the scene in Bridgeman Place, Bolton, in 1969 when traffic was brought to a virtual standstill due to poor visibility.

Equally interesting on this photo are the roadworks which had closed off Lower Bridgeman Street to traffic.

This was before the days of the dreaded traffic cones. Instead, to alert motorists you had the railway-style lamps or even paraffin flares as seen on the right of the picture. They’re not something you’re likely to find being used these days.