CAMPAIGNERS in Widnes have branded the local authority 'not fit for purpose' after calls for more traffic calming measures in a busy street were rejected.

Residents in Moorfield Road say they are "in desperate need of speed" bumps and fear it is only a matter of time before a child gets hit or killed by a speeding car.

Last year, Halton Borough Council installed splitter islands at the junction of the road and Camberwell Park housing estate

But campaigners say the islands are not working and residents live in constant fear of being hit by selfish speeders.

This week, it emerged the council had no plans to install further traffic calming measures.

In a statement Moorfield Road Action Group, who have fought for the measures for many years, said the authority "had chosen not to act on the views and safety fears of the local community."

Halton Council disputed this, saying there had been "regular dialogue between the Council and members of the Moorfields Road Action Group over an extended period of time regarding traffic flows and individual driver behaviour within the area"

The Moorfield Road Action Group statement read: "It did not come as any surprise to find that Halton Borough Council have refused to implement any traffic calming measures on Moorfield Road and have chosen to completely ignore the overwhelming evidence that their own equipment which has been provided.

"They have also chosen not to act on the views and safety fears of the local community and ignore the proof we have provided about the dangers faced on a daily basis.

"These issues have been ongoing since 2004 but we have a local council that thinks it knows better the public, the community and local residents for which it was elected to serve.

"Halton Borough Council has totally failed to work with partners to find an acceptable way forward to solve the dangers faced by the local community.

"They have been great at saying 'no' but are bereft of solutions or to come up with any suitable alternatives.

"Moorfield Road has a special needs school, two churches, sheltered accommodation, a very busy sports and social club, as well as the residents who are all being put at risk by their continued intransigence but the main group at risk are the school children who attend Moorfield Primary school and especially the ones that have to cross the narrow railway bridge.

"Due to Halton Borough Council's policy of allowing continual house building in the vicinity of Moorfield Road, it is increasing the volume of traffic on Moorfield Road, which is making the problem worse and will continue to do so."

The statement continued: "When a serious accident or fatality occurs, Moorfield Road Action Group will make public the countless emails that we sent warning Halton Borough Council that this was a situation just waiting to happen.

"The public can then make their own decision as to whether Halton Borough Council acted in the interests of the local community and their constituents.

"Halton Borough Council is not fit for purpose."

In its statement, Halton Council said: "There has been a regular dialogue between the Council and members of the Moorfields Road Action Group over an extended period of time regarding traffic flows and individual driver behaviour within the area. 

"The Council continues to work closely and meets regularly with Cheshire Police regarding highway and traffic matters.

"This ensures we deploy available resources to best effect, reducing accident risk through changes to physical infrastructure, raising driver awareness, and enforcement action.

"Since 2003, the Council has implemented various road safety and traffic management interventions along Moorfield Road whilst maintaining the flow of traffic.

"These measures are summarised in the table below.

  • 2003:  South of Dykin Road roundabout; Hatching, SLOW markings
  • 2004:  Junction with Warrington Road; Kerbline built-out to reduce speed of left-turners from Warrington Road
  • 2004:  Both approaches to Brookfields School; SLOW markings, red surfacing, Prismo Imprint false thumps.
  • 2008:  Both approaches to School Way, Central hatching, red surfacing, SLOWs, dragon’s teeth road markings
  • 2008:  Southbound approach to railway bridge;   Dragon’s teeth road markings, SLOW marking, rumble strips
  • 2008:  Junction with Camberwell Park Road; Right turn lane, central hatching, red surfacing, reduction in running lane widths
  • 2008:  Both approaches to School Way; 2 No. oversized school warning signs designed by local children following safety campaign
  • 2012:  South of Derby Road roundabout;    SLOW markings, rumble strips, dragon’s teeth, Prismo Imprint false thumps
  • 2014:  Adjacent to Brookfields School; At any time waiting restrictions to ease congestion and improve sightlines
  • 2014:  Brookfields School and railway bridge; 2 No. Smiley SiD speed indicative signs (funded by Area Forum)
  • 2015:  Junction with Warrington Road; Pedestrian refuge island and improved pedestrian crossing facilities
  • 2016:  Brookfields School; Improvements to internal markings, signage and car park layout to ease congestion
  • 2017:  Derby Road and Warrington Road junctions; 2 No. oversized Police enforcement 30 signs
  • 2018:  Junction with Camberwell Park Road; 4 No. bollards at junction to protect pedestrians  
  • 2018:  Southbound approach to railway bridge; Dragon’s teeth, SLOW markings, red surfacing, centre line refreshed
  • 2018:  Junction with Camberwell Park Road; Pedestrian refuge island installed
  • 2018  Southbound approach from Derby Rd; Improved illuminated weight restriction signs installed
  • 2018:  Both sides of Dykin Rd roundabout Additional children in road ahead warning signs installed.

"The Cheshire Police #FatalFive campaign is a timely reminder of the dangers to all drivers who speed or drive carelessly. Motorists need to play their part in making our roads safer for all users. 

 
"https://cheshire.police.uk/advice-and-support/roads-and-vehicle-safety/fatal-5/

In response, a spokesman for The Moorfield Road Action Group said: "How can Halton Borough Council claim to have been in regular dialogue with members of the Moorfield Road Action Group?

"Dialogue is a two way process, all correspondence has been initiated by the members of the action group, emails go unanswered and questions go unanswered and requests for information get ignored.

"No matter how many measures the councll say they have introduced on Moorfield Road, there are other roads within the borough that have had more measures introduced yet, do not have the same serious issues we encounter on a daily basis.

"I am sure they can produce a similar list for every road within the borough.

"It is obvious to anyone but Halton Borough Council that none of their many interventions are having the desired effect, which is why we have been pushing for different solutions."

"It is our position that Halton Borough Council has not 'effectively' consulted with local ward councillors, Cheshire Police or the residents and wider community."