A FATHER whose son was knocked down has blasted council bosses for failing to heed his calls for a crossing on the Hillock estate.
Robert Tomlinson was aged nine when he was hit by a car while while crossing Mersey Drive with a friend in February. He was thrown over the bonnet, suffering cuts and bruises, and had to wear a neck brace.
His father, Andy, of nearby Roch Walk, pictured with his son, wants Bury Council to install a crossing for children. The area has seen several accidents in the past few months and he fears that a child will have to die or be seriously injured before the council will act.
In a letter from the borough engineer, father-of-two Mr Tomlinson was promised that the matter would be brought up at a meeting of the traffic and engineering sub-committee in May or June. Despite repeated calls, he has heard no more. "I feel as if I am being fobbed off. They just took my name and said they would send me a copy of the meeting and I have heard nothing since. Fortunately for me, my son wasn't seriously injured but I don't want any parent to go through what I had to," Mr Tomlinson said.
Robert was crossing Mersey Drive near the entrance to Mersey Close when the accident happened. Mr Tomlinson said: "The cars were double parked and he was watching the traffic coming through. A car stopped and he thought nothing was coming so he went across.
"Another car was waiting for the gap and as Robert started to cross he was hit. His friend had to come and get me and in the 30 seconds it took to get there, everything was going through my mind. When I saw him lying there I just thought the worst."
He has taken his concerns to his three local councillors. He added: "They all agree that something should be done as the traffic on the estate is terrible. There is nowhere to cross the road."
Councillor Derek Boden, leader of Bury Council, said engineers were looking at installing crossings on Mersey Drive and Kennedy Drive. He added that better parking facilities were being considered by the housing association bidding to take over the estate.
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