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M60 speed restriction welcomed
Kirsty Elleray1/11/2006
EXCLUSIVE
THE mum of a tragic road crash victim has welcomed new safety measures at a notorious accident blackspot.
The Highways Agency has announced plans to extend the 50mph speed restriction at the M60 Bredbury junction following a string of smashes, including the triple fatality which claimed the life of 27-year-old Matt Weston last April, along with his two friends Melissa Boswell and Daniel Stewart.
His mum, Sue Heaps from Bridgehall, said: "I am pleased that they are extending the 50mph zone, hopefully it will be an improvement. But I still think that something should be done to make the bend in the road less sharp."
The Agency says the decision to extend the zone of the restriction was taken to reduce accidents near junction 25 on the motorway.
A 50mph limit, enforced on the clockwise carriageway between junction 24 and 25, has been extended by 1,500 yards and new measures including an interactive speed sign have been installed to help drivers observe the new restriction.
Highways Agency project manager Freda Rashdi said: "This scheme is designed to slow traffic to 50mph before it reaches the bend at junction 25. This will improve safety and reduce the number of accidents at this location.
"It will also help to reduce congestion and improve journey reliability by smoothing the flow of traffic."
Brinnington councillor, Colin McAlister, who last year dubbed the road as "the worst stretch of motorway in the country" added: "I am pleased to hear that the 50mph zone is being extended.
"Anything that can help to put a stop to fatalities and alleviate other problems in the future is good news."
There have been countless accidents at the junction, which currently has a sharp right-hand bend and narrow lanes on the clockwise route.
- Matt Weston died along with his friends, Melissa Boswell and Daniel Stewart in April 2005 when their car struck the central reservation.
- Within weeks, four teenagers were injured when their car overturned at the same spot.
- A man suffered spinal injuries when his vehicle hit the central barrier in May 2005.
- A van driver was killed at the same spot in January 2006.
- In February 2006, a 29-year-old man from New Mills lost control of his car and suffered serious injuries.
And coroner John Pollard wrote to the Highways Agency earlier this year about his safety concerns at the junction following the inquest of motorcyclist Edward Struttman, who also crashed at the infamous spot in August 2005.
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27/11/2006 at 20:09
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