I MUSTcongratulate the Bolton Council Road Planning Department for the successful implementation of their "Bolton Promotes Traffic Congestion" policy.
After some months of steady progress on both Beaumont Road, Chorley New Road, Belmont Road, etc., the policy of reducing a dual carriageway to a single lane with seldom used cycle lane has really set the standard.
The flagship in this category must surely be Moss Bank Way where a great deal of time and certainly money was spent in the last couple of years, widening the junction at the Smithills traffic lights to three lanes in each direction.
This revelation was, of course, negated by the current administration by adoption dual carriageway or in this case "tri-carriageway", into one lane and a seldom used cycle lane. Superb!
Incidentally, the constantly varying speed limit on this road accompanied by the obligatory speed cameras, the area changing from 40mph to 30mph halfway down a hill reflects true quality and insight, can only be regarded as financially self-funding.
Close attention being paid to all Bolton's heavily used 'arterial' road systems, the above policy has been surpassed by the current new strategy of leaving a dual carriageway in tact but changing the outside lane to "turning right traffic only" as can be seen at the Crompton Way and Thicketford Road junction.
This master stroke must be seen to be believed, preferably between 8am and 8.45am from the resulting queue tailing back usually to the traffic lights at Tong Moor Road. Well Done!
The two or three cars requiring to turn right at this junction have a completely clear lane to turn up Thicketford Road whereas the remaining traffic, turning left down an already very busy Thicketford Brow to access the several schools and general thru' traffic wanting to get to Bury Road in ever increasing gridlock.
I wait with bated breath for the finale to this debacle.
What comes next?
Possibly the reduction of St Peter's Way into one lane with a varying speed limit between 30 mph and 50 mph. Think of the speeding fines resulting.
It must be acknowledged that with the current slow progress of traffic throughout the area, accident and road safety figures must be improved. The logical progression of this idea? A total ban of all traffic in the Bolton Metropolitan District?
It certainly bears consideration.
Roy Collins
Perendale Rise
Bolton
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