Plans to make a notorious road in Middleton safer have sparked objections from locals over the loss of parking spaces. The scheme for Grimshaw Lane, which has long been plagued by speeding drivers despite a 30 mph limit, includes three pedestrian crossing islands, bus stop improvements and double yellow lines at blind spots.
The aim is to reduce bottlenecks at junctions, prevent obstructive parking and improve crossing options for residents. The proposals went out to consultation earlier this year, and a council report found some objectors were unhappy about losing parking spaces to accommodate longer double yellow lines and bus stop improvements.
Safety push after fatal crash
The push for improvements follows the death of Terence Lewis James, 78, who was hit by a car on Grimshaw Lane on September 30, 2024. The incident prompted calls from nearby residents for safety measures on the road at Middleton Junction.
A council report said there would be a loss of around 10 spaces near where improvements would be made. Council officers felt that increasing safety for road crossing and bettering bus stop access was worth the loss in parking, according to the report.
The report reads: “Buses are often noted to have been obstructed by parked vehicles, preventing level access to stops. It has also been observed that pedestrians (including vulnerable road users) regularly have difficulty in crossing both the wide adjoining side roads and Grimshaw Lane itself.”
Residents divided over plans
Ann Lewis, who has lived on the road for years, previously told the Local Democracy Reporting Service she feared losing her nearby parking space due to her lack of mobility. She said: “We got this funding to get this sorted. But now we are going to have double yellow lines outside the house.
“Councillor Dylan Williams has offered to put a disabled bay opposite Sandy Lane. But I would not be able to get across the road with my shopping.
“We are all being affected by this. This has nothing to do with boy racers now, but that’s how it all started. The money to sort that problem has created a different one for us.”
Consultation on the scheme flagged 13 objections, but not all locals are against it. Michael Jackson, a David’s Farm Close resident, said previously: “The big problem I have is that when I’m coming out, I want to see the road but I can’t because of the cars that are parked up along the street. Those double yellow lines need to go further back from the junction.
“Sometimes I have to make a left, do a U-turn just to go right from my own street. It’s very risky business sometimes.
“It’s taking your life in your hands when you come out of my street. Anything to improve things is needed. Something needs to be done. Do we have to have another person getting killed before something is done?”
Decision due next week
Neil Eaves, who lives across the road from where a car crashed on Grimshaw Lane, added: “I’ve noticed there have been a few accidents, with that man dying. There was an elderly couple that got clipped as well I remember.
“One time I heard a noise and I looked out the window and there was a car upside down. They go past so fast all the time.
“We need proper crossings as well as at rush hour you can be waiting a long time to cross. I want to see improvement for the kids.”
Coun Dylan Williams, the Middleton East ward representative, has been fighting for the safety improvements for years. He said: “I have listened to what locals have said. If we were to look back on this after someone died in a crash and see we had funding to do something with the road but didn’t, it wouldn’t look very good.
“The majority of the public say they want it.”
The Middleton Township Committee is due to meet next week (September 17) to discuss whether to go ahead with the scheme. If they decide not to carry on, the £133,655 allocated to the project will go back to Transport for Greater Manchester.
