Grimshaw Lane, Middleton Junction is a pivotal busy main road used many residents and businesses, not only from Middleton but also surrounding areas. In recent months it has been used as a racing track by many drivers and has been subject to MULTIPLE serious RTAs. As well as being a busy main road, including a double decker bus route, it is also a residential street, home to large and small businesses and is in close proximity to two local schools. Grimshaw Lane has been subject to multiple RTAs (car crashes) in the last few months alone. We believe the amount of crashes surely makes Grimshaw Lane the most dangerous road in the Borough. Incidents have not only disrupted daily journies but have resulted in significant damage to properties, gardens, vehicles, and street furniture. Despite the shocking regularity of these accidents, we've been fortunate enough to avoid fatalities, yet we fear this will not continue given the circumstances. 

As members of not only the Middleton Junction community, but the wider Middleton Community and anyone who uses the road, we  call for urgent action to make the road safe.

 Consequently, we call upon Rochdale Council Highways, Transport for Greater Manchester and Greater Manchester Police to install speed cameras on Grimshaw Lane as a traffic calming measure – an approach proven to be effective in multiple communities across the UK. The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents states that where speed cameras were used, they contributed to a reduction in approximately 70% of speeding vehicles, 15% in collisions and 20% in deaths and serious injuries. Our community should not be an exception. We demand immediate action. We also call for crossings for pedestrians, especially outside the Jumbo Centre and near the busy Sandy Lane Junction where the majority of accidents have taken place. We also call for signage to encourage drivers to slow down. 

We are very worried that if action is not taken soon to make Grimshaw Lane safe, due to the volume of serious car accidents, and especially how many school children use the road that there will be a fatality. 

Residents of Middleton Junction and surrounding areas who use this road, lend your support to this cause and make our community safer for everyone who live, work, and pass through here by signing this petition now.

UPDATE 01/10/2024- There has now very sadly been a death on the road and the family have asked me to update the petition to reflect this. Our deepest sympathies go out to his family and friends who are absolutely devastated and it makes us all the more determined to not give up until we get a safe Grimshaw Lane, Middleton Junction. RIP https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/tragedy-family-switch-life-support-30049608