RESIDENTS on a small street that has become a notorious cut-through are worried a major development could make traffic even busier and more dangerous.

Dearden Street, in Little Lever, has already become known for the number of cars that pass through every day, with parents nearby already concerned about the risk this poses to children in the morning and at school leaving time, while parked cars have been damaged in some cases.

Now they are concerned that plans for the Lever Gardens complex could bring yet more traffic down the small two lane wide road.

Joanne Mutch, who lives in the area, said: “It’s horrendous, just the amount of traffic that’s been going on for years, it’s just got worse and worse. They’ve started to building at Lever Gardens, which is fine but the traffic is just going to be horrendous.

“In the morning, at school time, it's frightening. Come three to six it's just like a racetrack, it's horrendous.”

Work on Lever Gardens will see housing built for older people on land around Dearden Street and Lever Street including 62 flats and six bungalows as well as a bistro and communal areas.

Cllr David Evans, who represents the area on Bolton Council, says measures must be taken to mitigate the likely increase in traffic this will cause and help people living locally feel safer.

He said: “Residents contacted me to highlight the matter. Although it is known as a traffic hotspot, when you observe the traffic at peak times, congestion and capacity are a serious concern.

“I have been informed a number of residents have had their vehicles damaged as a result of cars attempting to push through with it being two-way traffic.

“In the recent past Dearden Street was looked at for a one-way system to link into Lever Street in Little Lever.

“I have requested from the highways department that they take a closer look to see if measures could be put in place, to address the congestion, obviously in consultation with the residents living on Dearden Street.”