IN response to a story in the Journal concerning the protest about the Traffic calming measures in Astley Street, Tyldesley and Princes Avenue, Blackmoor, Peter Taylor, Wigan's Director of Engineering Services, writes:

"Traffic calming saves lives. Since the Astley Street and Princes Avenue scheme was installed, there has been a decrease in accidents of over 50%. In the three years before the scheme, there were 31 serious or slight accidents recorded there. In the last three years, it dropped to just 14.

"We say "just", but any road accident is unacceptable. Most are caused by speed, and certainly within the urban environment and on an unclassified road like Astley Street, drivers must not expect to drive at 30 or even 20mph.

"I believe that the rights of the pedestrian to move safely outweigh those of the driver.

"Where there is a proven safety issue on a road, engineers will consider what the law allows them to do. Traffic calming is one option.

"Every single scheme is discussed at the local Traffic Management Unit, to which all the emergency services are invited, as well as bus companies and traffic experts. The emergency services recognise that traffic calming saves lives, and have approved the measures in Astley Street and Princes Avenue.

"All these parties agree that traffic calming is part of the way we address the problem of speed on our roads.

"The article opposing traffic calming was followed a few pages later by a resident wanting it. What we all want are safe roads, safe drivers and safe pedestrians."

Peter Taylor

Wigan MBC