One-way system finally implemented on Dearden Street

The Dearden Street, Little Lever one-way system went into place on March 26 after the plans were approved by Bolton Council back in December.

There was a crash on Dearden Street in 2022, which David Evans, who was councillor at the time, labelled as ‘predictable’.

Little Lever and Darcy Lever Councillor David Meehan said: “I welcome this long-awaited and overdue one-way scheme for Dearden St.

“This scheme was originally promised following the completion of the Lever Court development, and I’m pleased to see it now delivered after continued engagement and enquiries on behalf of the local residents.

Dearden Street, Little Lever (Image: Google Maps)

“It’s important to highlight that full consultation was carried out with residents directly affected, alongside the Highways Dept. to ensure the scheme reflects local needs and concerns.

“I recognise that this change has raised a range of different opinions, which is entirely understandable.

“I know how congested traffic is in the Village particularly during school drop-off times and peak rush hours.

“I want to reassure residents that I am listening carefully to these concerns.

“This scheme has been long overdue and was promised to local residents, and it is important that it is delivered while continuing to respond to genuine feedback.

“I also want to note that Rydal Road has been recently resurfaced, demonstrating that improvements are being made in the area.

“We will be closely monitoring how the new one-way system will work in practice, particularly the flow of traffic once it comes into effect.

Dearden Street links Church Street and Lever Street in Little Lever, and was often used as a shortcut between them due to its location.”

Many residents felt this was more than the narrow street could handle, causing traffic, collisions, and full crashes.

Concerns first started being raised in 2020 when the Lever Gardens housing development was proposed in the area, which saw the creation of 64 new homes just off Dearden Street and Lever Street.

The plans for the street (Image: Bolton Council)

Residents raised concerns that Dearden Street was already bad enough as it was without the influx of upwards of 64 more vehicles.

In fact, highways officers had discussed turning Dearden Street into a one-way system even earlier, holding a consultation in 2017.

At the time, highways officers decided that they would not proceed with the one-way system.

Proposals for the one-way system then had to be halted while construction of Lever Gardens was underway, which eventually opened in 2024.

New plans for the system were revived in March 2025, with the council receiving four individual representations in favour of the proposals and four against

Plans for the system were approved by the highways team in December 2025, and have now been ‘signed off and legalised’, according to Cllr Meehan.

Signage and road markings have not yet been installed , however, meaning the system will not become fully operational until early April.