Pictured at the unveiling of the new pedestrian crossing at Lea Gate, Harwood, are Cllr Guy Harkin, Cllr Tony Osborn, Senior Road Safety Officer Trevor Higson and Mrs Margaret Robson

VISUALLY impaired people living in Harwood can now use "the crossing from hell" in safety after a ground-breaking new "touch" crossing was installed.

The new system costing £4,000 has been put up by Bolton Council at the Lea Gate and Tottington Road junction -- after a plea from resident Margaret Robson, 64, of Brookside Close.

Local councillor Walter Hall, who took up her case, had described it as the crossing from hell for blind folk.

Mrs Robson said: "I was terrified of approaching it. I always dreaded it in case there was no one there to help me.

"But now I can use it completely on my own. It has given me back my independence."

Folk with little or no sight have been struggling for years at the crossing.

It is heavily used by pedestrians because there are shops on both sides of the road including the post office and Safeway supermarket.

The pedestrian lights at the Lea Gate junction cannot have a "beeper" system because there are several crossings all in a small area so it would not be clear which crossing was safe.

The new system -- one of only three in the town -- uses a rotating cone near the normal button which moves when it is safe to cross.

Also, a secondary set of traffic lights causing difficulties for motorists outside the Seven Stars pub have been removed.

Cllr Guy Harkin, Cabinet member for environment, said: "We're pleased that we have been able to help and we are grateful to Mrs Robson and the ward councillor for bringing it to our attention."

He announced there was to be an investigation into all the pedestrian crossings in the town to upgrade them where necessary.