New measures are set to come into force to make a busy road safer and slow down traffic, after concerns were raised over ‘near misses’ at a puffin crossing used by many schoolchildren.

In September last year the headteacher of St Andrew’s CE School in Over Hulton, Simon Charnock, called for a school crossing patrol to be reinstated after ‘several near misses’ with some motorists not stopping when the lights changed on the nearby puffin crossing.

Local residents also raised concerns about the behaviour of traffic on Newbrook Road at the crossing near the school.

This was then raised by local councillors with Bolton Council Highways, which secured a camera enforcement trial.

Cllr Derek Bullock - who represents Hulton - said, "After discussions with Highways officers it was agreed that this location would be investigated, and data gathered to ascertain what kind of enforcement would be needed."  

The Bolton News:

Following the successful testing and trialling, it found that vehicles were ignoring traffic regulations by using the adjacent bus lane, illegally entering it long before they were allowed, with dangerous consequences resulting in 'near misses', whilst also ignoring the puffin crossing.

Cllr Shafi Patel said: "Following this investigation officers confirmed that after observations there and misuse noted in the bus lane, the team are developing a tender for bus lane enforcement and intend to include this location for camera enforcement."

Cllr Toby Hewitt added: "In the meantime council enforcement officers will continue to visit this location."

The Bolton News:

A parent previously spoke to The Bolton News after witnessing “a narrowly avoided accident” when taking his five-year-old daughter to St Andrew’s, which he says he didn’t see when his daughter was in reception when a warden was in place.

He previously said: “I witnessed two cars go through the crossing whilst the lights were on red.

“Both vehicles were in the bus lane whilst a line of other vehicles were already stationary in the first lane.

“I feel if nothing is done to resolve the issue then at some point in the not-too-distant future we will see at the very least a serious incident, maybe even a fatality.

“If not at our crossing, then at one of the others which are in a similar situation.”

It is now hoped that with the enforcement measures to slow down traffic road  in the area will improve for local residents.

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