A TRAFFIC banning order to deter drivers using a street as a rat run has been imposed despite police claims that it will be difficult to enforce.

Residents of Glenmore Avenue, Harper Green, Farnworth called for council action because dozens of drivers travelling to the Royal Bolton Hospital and Mount St Joseph's School along Bradford Street cut through it to beat traffic lights.

But the council's suggestion of an access only order, banning vehicles except residents and visitors in Glenmore Avenue, met with strong opposition from the police.

Insp Brian Wood told a planning meeting that police were against the order because it would tie up resources without spelling an end to the problem. He said: "Police resources are pressed and enforcement of these orders is a low priority when taken in the context of more serious matters.

"The evidence must show that vehicles travelled through the restricted road when they didn't need access to it. It would take two foot patrol officers or a car to follow every vehicle.

Requests

"The making of such an order falsely raises the expectation of residents that it's a long term solution and there will be requests for police enforcement on a regular basis."

Tory deputy leader Cllr John Walsh said: "I realise the concerns of residents but it really would be very foolish of this council to implement a traffic order which is only enforceable if it ties up scarce police resources on a regular basis."

But other councillors argued that because a small hard core of rush hour offenders regularly cut through Glenmore Avenue, the road was an ideal candidate for an access only order.

A report to councillors said: "In this particular case it has been suggested that the 'rat-runners' are a regular and specific group of people who are either employed by or associated with Royal Bolton Hospital or Mount St Joseph's School."

An estimated 70 drivers a day use Glenmore Avenue as a rat run during rush hours.

"I am quite unhappy with the police response to this," said Cllr Laurie Williamson. "The issue has been rumbling on for 18 months and this isn't a council proposal, it's from the residents themselves.

Councillors voted to introduce the access only order on a one year trial basis and to change the phasing of the lights in Bradford Street to cut queues and reduce the temptation of motorists to cut through Glenmore Avenue.