A BEAT bobby is joining a campaign for traffic calming measures to beat rush-hour rat-run drivers.

Area constable Simon Booth is backing Hindley Green residents of Edinburgh Drive, Stuart Avenue and Taylor Road who are fed-up with their estate being used as a short-cut by drivers aiming to by-pass the signal controlled junction of Leigh Road and Atherton Road.

Fighting

Andrew Bradshaw, his wife and two children, aged six and seven, have had enough after eight years in Edinburgh Drive. They have been fighting for restrictions for the last two years.

A 65-signature petition was submitted to Wigan Council last summer, but campaigners were told since there have been no fatalities on the streets in question, speed bumps were not an option.

Mr Bradshaw said: "It has been going on for years, but has grown worse these last two. It's a danger as well as a nuisance -- does someone have to be killed before something can be done?"

Now PC Booth plans to involve traffic police in attempt to detract drivers from cutting through the residential area.

He said: "The only thing the council could offer was a complete road closure, which would just cause more inconvenience. These people aren't breaking the law, but they are making life uncomfortable for the residents. I intend to carry out a small traffic survey and hope that by introducing speed monitoring and traffic police we can educate drivers about the importance of using the main route."

The Bradshaws have been encouraged by this interest.

"It's amazing -- at last we might get the council to listen. It is a dream come true for all of us who suffer. It's like living on a main road at the moment -- we can't even get off the drive in the mornings and cars parked on the street are having their wing mirrors knocked. Not to mention the danger it creates for our young children."