Westhoughton Park Road motorcycle and van crash

The incident began at around 12.55pm this afternoon (Thursday, August 6), when fire services were called to the scene due to a collision between the motorcyclist and a van.

One fire engine was called to the scene, taking around 35 minutes to ensure the area was safe before leaving.

(Image: David Wilkinson)

A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue: “At 12.55pm on Thursday, August 6, one fire engine from Bolton Central was called to a road traffic incident between a motorbike and van on Park Road, Westhoughton.

“Crews arrived quickly and made the area safe and were on the scene for approximately 35 minutes.”

Greater Manchester Police also stated: “It was a minor road traffic collision involving a motorbike and a van. No injuries reported, no arrests made.”

The incident took place at the junction between Park Road and Captain Lees Road, near the Unsworth Group Practice.

Westhoughton Cllr David Chadwick said: “It’s a difficult one. As we get more and more development in the area it increases the likelihood of these things happening.

“Park Road has become an arterial route.”

Park Road is a particularly busy road, and is frequently the site of crashes.

In April, Park Road was the site of a motorcycle crash which left the rider ‘seriously injured.’

There was another collision later that same day, this time involving a car.

Cllr David Wilkinson, who saw the latest crash, said: “By the time I arrived we just saw the fire engines and all the motorbikes.

“Everybody was just stood around looking at it.

“It seems like every time I look on my phone at the moment there’s another crash story.

“It’s one of the reasons I get so concerned about potholes. With four wheels it can be dangerous, but with two wheels you can be killed.”

Adding to difficulties for drivers, there is also work being undertaken further up the road on a large pothole.