News Beat
Belmont motorist calling for action after crashes on black ice
The Bolton News understands that other motorists were forced to abandon their cars on the lane due to the black ice.
Rivington Road was closed yesterday after two crashes, involving a total of five cars.
Stephen McNeil, who lives in the borough, described the road as being like ‘sheer glass’ and ‘truly terrifying’.
He was among several drivers involved in damage-only collisions on Rivington Road on Thursday morning (January 8), after freezing weather made the surface dangerously icy during the school run.
Mr McNeil said the incident was “truly terrifying”, particularly as his six-year-old daughter was in the back of the car at the time.
“I’m still in shock,” he said. “It’s not something you expect when you’re setting off on a school run.
“My daughter was frightened to death.
“Luckily, no one was injured, it’s honestly a miracle nobody was hurt.”
Police were first called to the scene at around 8.21am, with officers closing the road at the junction of Belmont Road, while recovery trucks worked to remove vehicles.
The closure lasted for several hours as gritters were called.
Mr McNeil said he takes road conditions seriously and would not knowingly travel on unsafe routes.
He said: “If there had been any indication that the road wasn’t safe, I wouldn’t have taken it.”
He explained that the conditions became treacherous just beyond a section that had been treated.
He added: “There’s a slight incline past the pub which had been gritted, so I assumed the road would be fine.
“But when you get to the top where it levels out, it was like glass.
“I lost all control and spun off the road.”
Mr McNeil said police later confirmed the scale of the problem, with dozens of vehicles unable to move.
“An officer walked up the road from the Rivington end and came back saying there were more than 20 cars stranded that couldn’t move because of the ice,” he said.
“We could see 20 to 30 people walking down the hill who had to abandon their cars. It was far too dangerous.”
Police at the scene confirmed that gritters were on their way, but Mr McNeil believes action came too late.
He said: “I couldn’t believe the roads hadn’t been closed off sooner.
“It was gritted up to a point and then it just stopped.”
He added that conversations with other road users suggested the route is inconsistently treated in icy conditions.
“I spoke to a lorry driver who regularly uses that road and he said it’s very hit and miss when it comes to gritting,” he said.
Mr McNeil believes his car is now likely to be written off, and says he plans to formally complain to Blackburn with Darwen Council over what he describes as a lack of safety.
He said: “This shouldn’t have happened.
“Something needs to change before someone is seriously hurt.”
A spokesperson for Blackburn with Darwen Council said yesterday that highways teams were aware of the incident and had been providing support.
Carmel Foster-Devine, head of Highways, Transport and Networks, said: “We became aware of an incident on Rivington Road this morning, which our highways staff have been supporting.
“We would urge residents to adjust their driving to the conditions and stick to the main roads if possible, avoiding the higher routes.
“In treacherous weather, consider delaying trips, working from home if possible, or using public transport, where possible.”
The Bolton News reported earlier this month that a motorcyclist who crashed on Boxing Day has accused the council of ‘failing to grit’ the stretch of road where he came off his bike.
Alex Lythgoe, 28, raised concerns after the crash in the A675 Belmont Road, Belmont, on December 26, at a bend near Belmont Reservoir and Bolton Sailing Club.
The Bolton News have again approached Blackburn with Darwen Council for a response following the call from the retired police officer.
