Mum’s warning over ‘worst’ UK street where people ask how many …
A woman has asked “how many more lives will be lost” on one of the “worst” roads before action is taken after her partner was killed.
Gavin Andrews, 34, was returning home from a night out and had grabbed some food from a Chinese takeaway when he was struck down by a vehicle[1] on Walmersley Road in Bury.
The dad-of-one was pronounced dead at the scene[2], leaving behind his partner Karen Farnworth and their seven-year-old daughter Lacey, reported the Manchester Evening News[3].
Devastated Karen has now spoken out about speeding on Walmersley Road – saying more needs to be done to stop other families enduring the heartache they have.
Her fears are shared by many others in Bury and complaints about speeding and dangerous parking have been made about the street for more than a decade, according to a local councillor.
Driver, 22, and two others killed as train ploughs into car in horror crash[4]
Locals have spoken of how dangerous is Walmersley Road (
Vincent Cole – Manchester Evening News)
Measures including barriers, traffic wardens and police visits have been attempted since 2018, but nothing seems to be able to stop the problem at the bottom of the road.
“I’m furious,” said Karen, 36. “It’s one of the worst roads in Greater Manchester; it’s awful. I think it’s absolutely ridiculous. How many more lives do they need to lose before they actually do something?”
Cleaner and mum-of-three Karen had been with Gavin for almost eight years when he passed away. Reflecting on life without him, she added: “It’s difficult. I’m angry, frustrated, confused. Just pretty much all the emotions you can think of.
“Since Gavin died, you notice things more. But there have been so many incidents, accidents and deaths up that road.
“I 100% think there should be cameras or an average speed check at the bottom of the road and at the top of the road. Something needs to be done about the speeding.”
“More lives are at risk. Nothing is done about it; drivers aren’t going to change their driving. When someone does get run over, if there were cameras there to monitor speed, at least it would clock the reg.”
Irene Allen died after being hit by a van on Walmersley Road (
GMP)
Gavin’s mum, Isabelle Kane, says her health struggles have drastically worsened since the tragic death of her son.
“It’s been absolutely horrendous,” the 54-year-old, from Radcliffe, said. “Myself personally, I’ve got a few health struggles. Since this happened, I’ve got a lot worse. Every day is a struggle. You see something every day that reminds you.
“It’s just awful – it’s not even just myself and Karen, it’s my children Stacey, Rebecca and Andrew.
“He was very outgoing; he loved fishing and anything outdoors. He was a hard worker and he would do anything for anyone. He was such a big character and a big presence.
“My daughter lives up near [Walmersley Road], it’s not a nice feeling knowing it’s just up the road from where it happened.”
Gavin, from Tottington, isn’t the only person to have lost their life following an incident on Walmersley Road. Just over a year after his death on November 9, 2021, Irene Allen died after being struck by a Mercedes Sprinter van.
The tragedy happened near the junction of Wolstenholme Avenue on December 6, 2022. The 87-year-old was rushed to hospital but sadly succumbed to her injuries.
Bury council says it has lobbied the government about the rules on where speeding cameras can be located in a bid to tackle the problem.
Residents have complained about speeding and bad parking on Walmersley Road (
Vincent Cole – Manchester Evening News)
However, councillors say they are unable to install speed cameras as the national guidance for installation requires at least three speed-related accidents in a three-year period on a kilometre stretch of road in which one or more person was killed or seriously injured.
Meanwhile, parking has been identified as a big problem at the bottom of the road where there are multiple takeaways on each side – causing major difficulties for drivers.
Residents say customers and takeaway delivery drivers regularly park on double yellow lines, with locals describing the area as “dangerous” due to obstructions in the road.
Plans to tackle these parking conditions have now been put forward, with Labour councillors Kevin Peel, Ciaron Boles and Sandra Walmsley launching a consultation to make Walmersley Road a ‘red route’.
A red route is where red lines are painted on a certain stretch of road, imposing a strict no stopping rule. The proposed red route would start from the junction of A56 Peel Way to the St Mark’s signalised junction.
The new rules would be enforced by traffic cameras and anyone found to be in breach of them will be handed a fine.
It’s hoped the route will tackle the problem of illegal parking and congestion on the street, improving traffic flow and emergency vehicle access.
Moorside Cllr Ciaron Boles told the Manchester Evening News the council has brought in numerous measures to stop problem parking over the years but nothing has seemed to work.
“Residents were parking half on the road and half off the road,” he said. “Barriers were installed and it fixed the problem initially but it moved the problem into the road.
“We tried traffic wardens but that hasn’t been effective either. We hoped it would deter it but sadly it didn’t.
“We have secured police support for a handful of visits over the last two years but that only deals with the problem at that specific window of time. The second they go, it picks up again. We had no other option but to explore the option of a red route.”
Walmersley resident Mazzie Graham said she’s witnessed countless near-misses due to dangerous parking on Walmersley Road over the years.
“The bottom of Walmersley Road is a free-for-all to park – double yellows or not,” she said. “The amount of near-misses by drivers and people pulling out of their ‘parking space’ without warning is unreal.
“People U-turning, opening doors wide and just walking out – it’s a miracle someone has not been seriously injured.”
Gill Eagle-Cooper, also of Walmersley, described the area near the takeaways as a “nightmare”. “Parking attendants need to enforce the double yellow lines and not just go for easy tickets in the town centre,” she said.
“It’s a nightmare near the takeaways, [parking] is constantly blocking the way for emergency vehicles.”
In a statement, Cllr Kevin Peel, lead member for transport at Bury Council, said: “The council has done and continues to do everything in its power, in partnership with the police, who are responsible for speed enforcement, to tackle speeding on Walmersley Road.
“There are some things we just cannot do, like install speed cameras. But we have lobbied ministers to change the guidance which determines where speed cameras can be located and we bring the police to Walmersley Road and other key hotspots across the borough as often as their resources allow.”
A spokesperson from GMP said: “We will not allow the safety of our roads to be compromised by dangerous drivers, and appropriate against will always be taken against these offences.
“Officers from GMP Bury North Neighbourhood team are aware of residents’ concerns about speeding in their local area, especially along Walmersley Road. In response, local officers regularly conduct speed operations in this area and across speeding hotspots. Just yesterday, 200 traffic offences were recorded and actioned, including 73 speed offences, and £1,130.00 worth of Fixed Penalty Notices were issued.
“This is just one step towards tackling speeding and anti-social driving in Bury and we will continue to work with local partners and authorities to help keep the residents of Bury safe.”