Half Acre Lane text poll results in as police clamp down on illegal driving.

9.06.28pm GMT Thu 3rd Dec 2009

The police are clamping down on illegal driving up through the NO ENTRY at Half Acre Lane. The problem was raised at the monthly PACT meetings between the police and the community.

The narrow single width lane is one way downhill from Half Acre Road to Roch Valley Way. Some illegal drivers cut off from Roch Valley Way and race up the lane to beat traffic at the cemetery lights. Local residents have a catalogue of frightening experiences, most commonly when illegal drivers refuse to reverse back and behave in an aggressive manner.

The police are now carrying out random checks to catch the illegal drivers, and will be on patrol without warning.

Rochdale Township plans for a re-design of the junction with Roch Valley Way are now well advanced. In October, Councillor William Hobhouse carried out a text poll of local residents to find out whether they felt the Council plans had a good chance of success. Of 30 text replies, 28 were fully supportive; the remaining 2 had reservations about the scheme. Residents also suggested that a bollard be put in at the corner as a further measure.

Councillor William Hobhouse said: 'The response was fantastic. My phone seemed never to stop beeping at me for a few days. The Half Acre Lane text poll was the second text poll I have done in Bamford. Mobile phone community politics is a great way to communicate with residents, and it's fun!'

The work is expected to be done in early 2010.