LAST week the Radcliffe Times devoted its front page and part of its Letters page to those campaigning for improved road safety on Bolton Road following the tragic death of Natalie Danielle Pickwick Jones in a road traffic collision there earlier this year.

As the highway authority for Bolton Road we felt it would be useful to inform your readers of the work that already has gone on there to make it safer for pedestrians and other road users.

Indeed, after consultation with local residents and with backing from Radcliffe Area Board, the council implemented a road safety scheme there during the summer. This involved the construction of four pedestrian refuge islands and the provision of new road marking and warning signs. Also the former zebra crossing near to the accident site was converted to a puffin crossing in spring 2003.

Each fatal collision is thoroughly investigated by the police. Of course, there may be specific circumstances beyond anyone's control that are contributory factors in any collision but in each case the council's traffic management and road safety services teams will also assess what further action may be required to improve road safety.

In the tragic case of Natalie and her family, the council will work with the police to carry out speed surveys on Bolton Road and investigate what other road safety measures may be appropriate to avoid another fatality.

I would like to pass on the council's sympathy to Natalie's family. As well as providing physical measures across the borough to improve road safety the council is working hard to raise public awareness about the effects of speeding in many of its publicity and educational campaigns.

COUNCILLOR MIKE CONNOLLY,

Executive member for

environment and transport,Bury Council.