Bolton: Drivers warned as new speed cameras introduced

This week, Greater Manchester Police announced that 100 new “ultra” speed cameras will be put in across the city region, including in Bolton, to reduce serious injury and death on the roads.

Bolton Council cabinet member for stronger communities Cllr Rabiya Jiva has warned that it will also be down to drivers to make sure that they take to the roads responsibly.

She said: “We welcome these new cameras but we will continue to advocate that drivers should do their utmost to take care when behind the wheel and not just when speed cameras are present.

Cllr Rabiya Jiva has campaigned for speed cameras in locations like Halliwell Road (Image: Newsquest)

“Because there have been incidents, including here in Bolton, where failing to drive responsibility has caused injuries and even cost people their lives.”

She added: “So we will continue to ask people to be responsible and to respect the road and other drivers.

“Because misguided moments can cost lives.”

The new cameras in Horwich (Image: Public)

Cllr Jiva, who’s role includes policing and public safety, has frequently appealed for people to pay greater care to road safety following various dangerous incidents, some of them fatal, on the borough’s roads.

Earlier this year she gave her backing to the community speed watch initiative and has been a long term supporter of a campaign to install speed cameras on Halliwell Road, which is frequently blighted by serious accidents.

The new yellow painted VECTOR-SR cameras will look different to older equipment and will use infra-red technology while operating for 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with the aim of eliminating road fatalities and accidents.

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One of these cameras has already been installed opposite the Co-op on Chorley New Road in Horwich, but more details are expected later on about where cameras will be positioned.

Superintendent Gareth Parkin of Greater Manchester Police’s Safer Transport Team said: “The new and upgraded speed cameras across the city-region will ensure that drivers adhere to road speeds and do not engage in reckless or anti-social driving.”

He added: “Speed limits are put in place to ensure our roads are safe.

“Excessive speeds increase the chances of driver error, increase the time it takes for a vehicle to stop and can also increase fatalities in the event of a collision.”