Business owners are demanding police action on a ‘cursed road’ where a grandmother was killed in a head-on collision.
Karen Kimblin, 63, died after the Nissan car she was driving collided with a Mercedes travelling in the other direction on St Helens Road in Bolton on June 22. She was taken to hospital but died of her injuries a few days later.
A man aged in his 30s was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and was being treated in hospital.
But the road continues to be a danger for motorists. A few weeks after the deadly crash, a cyclist was taken to hospital with injuries following another collision.
And only a few days ago another crash involving a car flipping onto its roof happened just 330ft away from where Ms Kimblin crashed.
Now businesses on the road have said tougher action is needed to crackdown on hooligans driving at high speeds through the junction.
One of the locals on St Helens Road in Bolton Alan Compton has said this year has been the worst year for crashes
Karen Kimblin, 63, died after the Nissan car she was driving collided with a Mercedes travelling in the other direction on St Helens Road in Bolton on June 22
A picture of the scene of Ms Kimblin’s car following the tragic crash last month. A man in his 30s was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving
Now businesses on the road have said tougher action is needed to crackdown on hooligans driving at high speeds through the area
Yasir Khan, 36, general manager of the Big Discount Store, said: ‘It is a cursed road.
‘There must be a crash on this road every couple of weeks. It’s a very dangerous road.
‘My customers are scared to cross the road because the cars drive so fast. You risk your life crossing the road.
‘Drivers take no notice of the red lights and take the corners too fast and end up crashing.
‘I think the police need to install speed cameras or speed bumps in the road but that won’t spot those in stolen cars or being chased by the police.
‘Everyone is fed up with it and are living in fear!’
Heather Riley, 34, a receptionist who lives nearby, said: ‘It is carnage on the road every week.
Yasir Khan, 36, general manager of the Big Discount Store, said: ‘It is a cursed road’
A wall is knocked down on St Helens Road in Bolton following the deadly crash last month – with flower tributes left at the scene
Despite the efforts of emergency workers at the scene last month, Ms Kimblin died while the driver of other car was taken to hospital
The Mercedes involved in the collision with its front and driver door smashed in
The aftermath of the fatal traffic accident on St Helens Road, Bolton, on June 22
Locals said it is impossible to cross the road without feeling frightened
‘How a car hasn’t gone through a shop window is beyond me?
‘It is really scary trying to cross this road.
‘On a daily basis cars drive at crazy speeds. The drivers hang back at the traffic lights and then set off like a rocket.
‘They just don’t care.’
Owner of Buttylicious sandwich Alan Compton, 50, said: ‘This is the worst year for crashes.
‘Only a few days ago there was a crash involving six cars.
‘It is impossible to cross the road without feeling frightened. Even when the pedestrian man is on green you have to be really careful because they drive through red lights.
‘The railings outside the shops are always needing to be replaced because there are so many crashes.
Owner of Buttylicious sandwich Mr Compton, 50, said: ‘It is impossible to cross the road without feeling frightened. Even when the pedestrian man is on green you have to be really careful because they drive through red lights’
Some business owners feel the only way to try to stop speeding on the road is by setting up speed cameras and speed bumps
Locals report that cars race up and down the road at all times of the day
‘Cars race up and down the road at all times of the day. I don’t know how the police can stop it.
‘I have lived all over the country and this is by far the most dangerous and worse road.
‘It’s just a game to these people.’
A petition set up by the Friends of Morris Green in the aftermath of the deadly crash has already reached more than 1,000 signatures. It will now be presented to the council.
Hairdresser at The Menz Room Barbers, Ali Benali said: ‘This family business has been here for 60 years and I have never felt so unsafe.
‘My car was parked outside when another vehicle crashed into it.
‘It shunted all the cars forward and I thought my car was going to crash through the window.
‘I was cutting a little boy’s hair at the time, and we were sat close to the window so I just grabbed him and ran out of the way.
‘When the police came and carried out an investigation, they said they believed the driver was travelling at 112mph!
A petition set up by the Friends of Morris Green in the aftermath of the deadly crash has already reached more than 1,000 signatures. It will now be presented to the council
Hairdresser at The Menz Room Barbers, Ali Benali said: ‘This family business has been here for 60 years and I have never felt so unsafe’
Mr Benali said: ‘I think the only way to try to stop it is by speed cameras and speed bumps. I hate both but I think that is the only way’
One business owner claimed the police measured one driver travelling at 112mph
‘I’m waiting for a car to come crashing through the shop window.
‘I think the only way to try to stop it is by speed cameras and speed bumps. I hate both but I think that is the only way.
‘What makes it worse is that it is always the innocent people who end up getting hurt or killed.’
Mrs Kimblin, a grandmother-of-seven, mother-of-four and wife to Ken Kimblin, worked as a nurse for most of her life.
In a statement, he relatives said: ‘Karen worked all of her life as a nurse caring for others which came so easily to her with her caring and loving nature.
‘Our family loves her beyond words and received the same love and devotion in return from her.
‘Our world is crushed to losing her. Her memory will live on with us forevermore.’
A spokesperson for Bolton Council said: ‘We fully understand the concerns raised about road safety along St Helens Road.
‘The safety of all road users is a key priority for the council and we work closely with Greater Manchester Police on this.
‘While we cannot comment on individual incidents, we will explore all available options wherever there is clear evidence that traffic calming measures could prevent future accidents.’
