Motorists have been thanked for their patience while vital safety improvements are made to a busy Bolton junction.
Concerns about the corner of Thicketford Road and Crompton Way came to a head in 2020 when a 10-year-old girl was knocked down on her way home from school.
The incident led to calls from local residents to improve pedestrian safety in an area that sees high volumes of traffic especially at peak times.
As a direct response to these requests, work is now being carried out, funded by Transport for Greater Manchester and local ward councillors.
Once work is finished, there will be full pedestrian crossing facilities at all sides of the junction.
Upgrades to traffic lights will also ensure that vehicles can flow more efficiently through the intersection.
The £200,000 scheme is expected to take eight weeks to complete with multi-way signals in place to manage traffic flows.
Part of the cost is being covered by Tonge with the Haulgh ward councillors through their area working budget.
Under the council’s area working system, councillors in all 20 wards are given a pot of money to address the issues that matter most to their communities.
Bolton Council’s Cabinet Member with responsibility for highways, Cllr Hamid Khurram, said:
“As a council, we are always working to make sure our roads are safe for all users, whether they drive, cycle, walk or use public transport.
“While it takes time to plan and secure funding for major improvements like this, I am sure local residents will quickly see the benefits of these changes.
“In the meantime, we understand there will be some traffic disruption at this busy junction and we thank drivers for their continued patience.”
Tonge with the Haulgh wars member, Cllr Nick Peel, said:
“Without the use of some of our local budgets, that councillors across the borough hold for local projects, this safety scheme would not have been possible.
“It has taken a long time to get started, and now that it has, there will be some disruption to motorists, but we thank people for their patience while this vital work is carried out.”