Long-suffering residents on the busy road between Rochdale and Oldham say chickens are the only thing that have put the brakes on speeding motorists.
Deborah Wroe has waged a three-year campaign against speeding outside her home on Rochdale Road, Royton.
Complaints to the police and Oldham council have resulted in an occasional mobile speed camera being used by police and a flashing sign reminding drivers they're in a 30mph zone and to 'slow down'.
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But Deborah says the only deterrent so far has been when chickens housed opposite her home have escaped and walked into the road.
"Motorists don't even slow down when I'm trying to get into my car," she said. "They pass inches from me. But as soon as the chickens walk into the road, they slow down.
"Some have even stopped and offered to help me guide them to safety.
"It may be the answer," she joked.
Deborah added: "There are two schools near here, but no parent I know lets their children walk to school, it's that dangerous."
The owners of the chickens are residents Jilly and Pete Grimbley. Jilly told the Manchester Evening News: "We keep about 15 chickens for eggs and breeding purposes.
"We did put some young chickens with some older birds and it got a bit lively and it resulted in the smaller ones escaping through the fencing. We've now rectified the problem, so the chickens don't escape.
"I would hate to think there might be an accident because of the chickens getting out. Traffic along here does go too fast and it would be a big step forward if something was done about it."
Residents between the Halfway House pub and the junction with Tandle Hill Road, where Rochdale Road is straight and runs downhill in the direction of Oldham, say there have been numerous accidents with cars written off in recent years.
Vikki Kaira, the restaurant manager at the Halfway House, said one of the staff had her car badly damaged when she was trying to exit the pub.
"The driver was coming up the hill," she said. "He must've been doing well over 30mph, otherwise he would've been able to stop.
"It's particularly bad in the evening and late at night. Cars are zooming past here at an unbelievable speed. Someone is going to get killed."
Rochdale Road resident Molly Marsden, 25, told the Manchester Evening News: "There's been a lot of accidents along here. It a worry for people with children. We need speed cameras and the police to take action."
Another resident is 59-year-old Graham Grisdale, who had one of his cars written off when a speeding car ploughed into it.
He said: "The speeding problem here is terrible.
"We're getting cars coming down here - overtaking another doing 30mph - at 60mph.
"My neighbour has also had his car hit four times. One young lad came down here and flipped his car over before it hit my neighbour's car.
"You tell the authorities, but they don't want to know."
Driving instructor Rob Hooper said on Deborah's , 'Rochdale Rd Royton Slow Down campaign' Facebook page: "The sight of a police officer with a radar gun slows 'em down. I had a lad overtake me and a pupil ( yes I’m a driving instructor) last week and (he) hit the brakes so hard we nearly ran into the back of him."
Responding to the complaints, a Greater Manchester Police spokesperson said: "We are aware of incidents of speeding along Rochdale Road, and share the views of the local community that it is unacceptable.
"Road safety is of the utmost importance to the team, as speeding can have devastating consequences – not only does it increase the risk of collisions, but it can affect the severity of those that do take place.
"Speed limits are in place for a reason - to protect road users and pedestrians, and should always be adhered to. If you exceed the speed limit you are putting yourself and others in danger.
“We will continue to work closely with partners to target issue; which includes officers carrying out patrols in the area taking appropriate action against those driving above the speed limit, or in a dangerous manner. In the coming weeks, local neighbourhood officers will also be trained in using speed enforcement equipment.
“We would like to encourage members of the public to report any issues/concerns, as well as encouraging anyone with information or dashcam footage of anti-social driving to contact the police. You can make a report via the reporting function or LiveChat facility at www.gmp.police.uk, or by calling 101. Always dial 999 in an emergency.”
A spokesperson for Oldham council said: “Drivers who use our roads should always stick to the speed limit.
“Unfortunately, irresponsible drivers will always speed on roads – putting other road users, pedestrians and themselves at risk.
“Since the pandemic started we have received numerous reports of drivers speeding on roads due to the lack of traffic. This has been repeated on roads across the country.
“We constantly monitor our highways but traffic calming measures, such as humps are not appropriate for A roads such as Rochdale Road.
“However, following reports of people speeding on Rochdale Road, last year GMP mounted an operation in that area and a number of people were fined.
“We, along with the other Greater Manchester districts are currently working closely with the police on a Speeding Complaints Procedure, which will be rolled out soon.
”It’s important that, if residents witness vehicles speeding, they report it via the 101 website.”
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