Royton councillors welcome new crossing work
Date published: 08 February 2021
Pictured (left to right) are Councillor Clint Phythian, Councillor Hannah Roberts and Mick Harwood, just down from the current crossing outside Royton Town Hall
Royton North Councillors Clint Phythian and Hannah Roberts have welcome the news that work is due to start on a new Toucan crossing between the Precinct and Library/Town Hall on Rochdale Road.
Royton’s Councillors have campaigned for a safer crossing after a number of accidents and injuries at the existing zebra crossing on Rochdale Road, and now welcome the work which starts today (Monday).
The Toucan will be linked to the lights at the busy junction to manage traffic flows, while at the same time providing a safe crossing point for pedestrians and cyclists.
Cllr Phythian said: "We are very pleased to have secured the funding for this work – we redoubled our efforts after a boy was injured in December 2017.
"The work was due to start this time last year but was delayed because of COVID-19.
"The work should be done by the time this lockdown is lifted and roads and the town centre start to get busy again."
Cllr Roberts added: ‘We have kept the pressure up on the Council’s Highways department to deliver a safer crossing and find a way to cope with the traffic as well.
"The money has been allocated and it will be worth the disruption on the main road to get it spent and the work done.
"I hope that the new crossing will reduce accidents and make it safer to walk and cycle around Royton’s town centre."
Mick Harwood, a local resident and Labour’s candidate in the forthcoming May Council elections, added: "I have attended many Royton Community Forums and residents regularly say that more needs to be done to make roads safer.
"I have heard many complaints about this crossing and it is good to see this work underway."
Rochdale Road will be restricted to a single lane with temporary traffic signals in operation.
The works are expected to last for 15 working days.
Pedestrian access to the public amenities, shops and businesses will be possible throughout the works.
The existing zebra crossing will be in use during the works.
This will allow the new Toucan crossing to be constructed at a new location adjacent to the zebra crossing.
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