Motorist beware – new parking restrictions coming on Park Road

We have been informed that Salford City Council will shortly commence work on the notorious accident blackspot that is the Park Road/Walkden Road mini-roundabout.

Among the changes are double-yellow lines along Park Road – a popular parking spot for station users. While we understand the reduced congestion will improve the quality of life for residents, it will also make parking harder for rail users.

We have been advised the new parking restrictions will be rigorously enforced by traffic wardens.

FOWS have pointed out to the council the unfairness of restricting parking without making any alternate provision – and this at a time when the council is supposedly promoting public transport use !

Among the other changes planned are road and pavement resurfacing, and the installation of new bollards and railings.

FOWS’s calls for a pedestrian crossing were rejected by the council for fear of the delays it would cause for motorists.

Pedestrian Crossing campaign continues

One of FOWS concerns is the dangerous and thoroughly unpleasant road crossing that passengers face under the bridge immediately outside the station. Over the last year we’ve been in discussion with Salford Council about affordable measures to improve the situation and we were pleased when they recently agreed to send a survey team to monitor the number of people crossing the road outside the station.

The survey was conducted yesterday, and while it offers no guarantee that a crossing will be built (that will depend on the results of the survey and numerous other road planning considerations), we applaud the council for having taken this important step forward.

Lucky Swinton gets £50,000 investment

You may have seen the article in last week’s Salford Advertiser about the £50,000 grant that GMPTE have secured from the Department of Transport for improvements to Swinton station. No-one could deny Swinton needs improvement, but FOWS are at a loss to understand how Swinton was prioritised above Walkden when:

• Walkden has many more passengers than Swinton
• Walkden is missing all the same facilities that Swinton is missing
• Walkden has more steps to the platform
• Walkden does not have a pedestrian crossing outside
• Walkden doesn’t even have a front door to secure it at night !

This comes on top of last year’s announcement of GMPTE grants to Bolton and Wigan councils to improve facilities at stations between Atherton and Wigan.

FOWS are writing to GMPTE to ask for an explanation of their priorities for local stations.

FOWS campaign for improved pedestrian safety

You may have seen the article in this week’s Salford Advertiser (“Campaigners fight for a safe crossing”) reporting on our recent meeting with Salford Council planners and the Walkden Road Traders Group to discuss road safety improvements around the Walkden Road/Park Road accident blackspot.

FOWS have asked for a pedestrian crossing to assist the hundreds of station users who face the daily peril of crossing two busy roads outside the station entrance. As any regular station user will know, the dingey under-bridge conditions and proximity of the mini-roundabout make it difficult for pedestrians to catch drivers’ attention, and getting over the road to or from the station can be a dangerous enterprise.

Salford have listened to our concerns, and are currently costing up several options.