Traffic tailbacks are threatening to turn Journal-land into a no-go area.

Now tormented locals fear worse chaos is just around the corner.

Campaigners are calling for traffic signals at an Astley blackspot.

In Atherton a heavy goods vehicle ban is being considered on an housing estate artery.

And in Tyldesley new development promises more traffic bedlam.

Astley GP Dr Bhola Nath Varma is heading the fight for lights at the Cross Hillock bottleneck.

"I fear it will not be long before a fatal accident takes place," said worried Dr Varma after fellow practitioner Dr Mrs K Khatri was involved in a crash there.

He said Astley's population had increased tremendously in recent years, matched with an upsurge in road traffic, adding: "Traffic is now so intense I fear it will not be long before a fatal accident happens.

"For the safety of road users and pedestrians traffic lights are urgently needed at the junction."

Dr Varma has sent the Council a 600-name petition supporting his lights plea and has asked local MP Terry Lewis to back the scheme.

A local authority spokesman said: "We will look seriously at Dr Varma's petition and consider all aspects."

In other areas traffic calming campaigners are enjoying success.

The A577 east route through Tyldesley will be narrowed to one through-route, creating entrance and exit lanes for the new Somerfield supermarket.

And, from the other direction, the A577 main artery will need an additional right-turn filter lane to cater for new homes allocated on 12 acres of reclaimed Cleworth Hall Colliery land.

In Atherton moves are underway to block Tyldesley Old Road so heavy goods vehicles from Chanters Industrial Estate will be banished from the stretch below Arley Way.

A Council spokesman said: "We're considering this measure in Tyldesley Old Road because we have been inundated with complaints from people who say HGVs have been thundering past their homes.

"The highways and works committee have approved the idea."

"Road layout changes in Shuttle Street are included in the supermarket plan and the road will be narrowed to accommodate a pedestrian crossing. This is being done on to calm traffic and improve road safety.

"We are trying to strike a balance and obviously can't satisfy everybody.

"We will look seriously at Dr Varma's petition for lights at Astley and consider all aspects."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.