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Astley Bridge residents angry at road signs left for months

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Sometimes it is the little things left behind that become the biggest daily annoyance.

And this was the case for residents who say signs, cones, and a sandbag have been left around Templecombe Drive for months, with some now partly blocking a pavement and a ginnel.

The roadworks were due to begin on June 2, but residents say the signs arrived before the planned work and have remained despite the work not taking place as expected.

Cllr Hilary Fairclough, of Astley Bridge, said: "It's just, it's a small thing in a way, but it's incredibly irritating for people.

"I mean, this is now blocking the pavement, previously, it was stopping people going up the ginnel.

"Kids were playing with them and that's a natural thing to do. But, you know, it causes issues for people and it's unsightly."

Resident Ruth Ellison said the signs had been in place since around the end of May, one outside of the ginnel and another at the top near to Belmont Road.

She said she had contacted the council's highways department twice, but had only received an automated response.

Road signs and cones left on Templecombe Drive. (Image: NQ)

The signs and cones are understood to have been connected to resurfacing work, with residents saying contractors returned after problems were identified with the previous work.

Ruth Ellison contacted The Bolton News about the issue and said the signs were "not very decorative."

She said they were partly blocking the footpath between her home and another property, with one sign overturned underneath a cone.

Cllr Fairclough, who represents Astley Bridge Ward, said she had contacted the highways department "two or three times" in recent weeks about signs being left on pavements.

She said the issue was "very annoying for residents", adding that cones can be moved into the road and signs can obstruct ginnels.

Residents say the equipment has been left for months. (Image: NQ)

Cllr Fairclough said she understood contractors were responsible for leaving the equipment behind, but believed the council had the power to have it removed.

Ruth, the resident near to the signs on Templecombe Drive, said: "Actually, there was a sign on that lamppost saying take care, if there's fine gravel, go 10 miles an hour or something.

"But that's been taken away.

"I think you'll probably find there's quite a lot of this around Bolton."

Residents also said they believed similar problems had occurred elsewhere in Bolton after work by contractors and utility companies.

One of the signs had been knocked over (Image: NQ)

Cllr Fairclough added: "It's so annoying that you have to keep reminding them. Not even an acknowledgement, to be honest."

After The Bolton News contacted Bolton Council, a spokesperson said: "They are due to be picked up by the end of the day."

Residents said the equipment appeared to be moved after the issue was raised with the council and The Bolton News.

The council has not said why the signs had remained in place for so long.

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