A STEAMROLLER of opposition to unpopular traffic calming plans for Sedgley Park has forced traffic bosses into a rethink.

Prestwich's Kings Road was earmarked for a raft of new measures after being identified as one the worst accident blackspots in the borough, with 12 people injured in the area over the last three years.

But residents and business owners complained that the measures proposed for the road would be ineffective, and that parking restrictions could spell the end for local shops.

The plans, drawn up by independent consulting engineers Parkman Ltd, included restrictions on parking and turning into roads around a popular parade of shops. They also called for road narrowing, with chicanes on two sections of road, including one outside the parade. But Mrs Teresa Lovatt, who owns Bond's Newsagents, said: "I was devastated about these plans.

"My business relies on people being able to park outside. They wouldn't be able to nip in and out of the shop if they had to mess about with parking down a side street.

"There is a problem with traffic, and something has to be sorted out, but the plans are too drastic."

Residents also feared that the plans would continue to let traffic speed past Sedgley Park School, where parents of pupils are campaigning for a pelican crossing, before and after negotiating the chicanes.

Mr Richard Fitzsimons, who lives across the road from the shops, said: "The plan to introduce chicanes was terrible. It did not answer the problem and would cause maximum inconvenience.

The plans, approved by a meeting of the highways and traffic management committee in July, were to be introduced subject to consultation.

But following a local exhibition of plans, at which strong opposition was voiced, and intervention from Bury South MP Ivan Lewis and ward Councillor Frank Adam, they will now be re-assessed.

Mr Lewis said: "What we've basically been saying is that we can have a scheme that improves safety in the area, without undermining the viability of shops, or inconveniencing residents unduly."

"From the point of view of the shops, this is one of the few remaining success stories in the area and is seen very much as the heart of Sedgley. It is important that we don't do anything to jeopardise that."

Bury Council engineering manager Ian Lord said: "We have received a number of responses and are looking at the proposals in light of that to see how they could be modified. The chicanes were a particular point of concern that we need to look at.

"No decisions have been made and we are listening to what people are saying. It's certainly not the case that we will push on regardless."

The plans also suggest blocking off the southern end of Mildred Avenue and northern end of Mather Avenue, and new "Give Way" markings and signs. Chicanes were also proposed at the northern end of Mather Avenue.