AN elderly woman who lost her brother in a road accident is worried about the safety of the newly opened two-way traffic system along Mealhouse Lane, Atherton.

Alice Cook is 87-years-old and lives in Mealhouse Court. She is concerned that, although the new system was up and running on Monday, the planned pedestrian crossings along the busy main road are not yet complete.

"I was taken down to the doctors in Water Street and I couldn't find one safe place to cross. Everything should have been completed before it started. We are old people and can't run if something comes, but it isn't only about the elderly, school children cross there too and their lives are too precious to risk."

Alice knows what it is like to lose someone in a road accident, she had to identify her younger brother, Stanley Eckersley after he was killed when he was hit by a bus while cycling in Atherton town centre in February 1938, aged just 21.

"Stanley was beautiful, someone to be proud of, and I don't want anyone to have to go through what I did. It was a long time ago, but the memories are still there."

A spokesman for Wigan Council said: "We apologise for any delays, we are getting the crossings completed as soon as possible -- definitely before Christmas. In the mean time people can cross at the traffic island, it isn't a designated crossing place, but it is easier there."