A SOLUTION to traffic problems on Summerseat's notorious Bass Lane may be just around the corner.

Around 60 villagers turned out for a special meeting at Summerseat Methodist Primary School to thrash out the options for improvements along the narrow country road.

Many locals complain that the village has been turned into a busy "rat run" for commuters between the M66 motorway and Holcombe Brook. Highways chiefs admit that the state of the road is deteriorating, while motorists say that there is poor visibility and inadequate space for vehicles to pass each other.

The matter was brought to a head when landowner John Barlow placed a barrier of rocks and poles along one side of the road, claiming that his land needed protection.

Now, improved street lighting, resurfacing work and provision of an extra passing area have been suggested by the council, as part of a £350,000 improvement package.

A crumbling boundary wall could also be replaced, with various forms of barrier suggested in a local consultation document.

However, some villagers present at Wednesday's (Sept 5) special meeting of Ramsbottom and Tottington area board warned that a new passing spot could add to problems in the area.

One lifelong Bass Lane resident said: "What's happening nowadays is that traffic has increased to a point where it is affecting the whole village.

"In my opinion the refurbishments should not include anything that would encourage people to use Bass Lane.

"The faster the flow of traffic and the more of it there is on Bass Lane, the busier the whole village will become."

But Malcolm Clarke, of Crag Avenue, argued that road safety should be a priority: "We can't realistically say that people can't go through the village. We drive through lots of other people's areas.

"We should use the space available on Bass Lane as well as we can. If a passing place is possible then that is a good idea."

A show of hands at the end of the evening demonstrated that residents were generally in favour of a new passing place and the construction of a new concrete-cored wall, clad with stone.

Views expressed in the consultation, and on the night, will be considered at a meeting of the highways and traffic management committee next month. Work is expected to begin before April.

Borough Engineer Mike Cannon said after the meeting: "The views expressed by residents were very positive and constructive. We have had a general consensus about the way forward on Bass Lane."

And Ramsbottom councillor Barry Theckston told the Bury Times: "I'm pleased that the residents were given the opportunity to be involved in the plans.

"The consensus was in favour of replacements that are long overdue. It is about time we had a proper job done on the road and I think that we're going to get it."