ALMOST 2,500 residential streets in Bolton now have a 20mph speed limit, thanks to a £500,000 scheme to make communities safer.

Approximately two thirds of the borough’s residential roads, which include around 50,000 households, are covered by the reduced speed limit as part of an ongoing council programme.

A total of 26 areas, including all residential roads in Farnworth, Great Lever, Halliwell, Kearsley, Little Lever and Darcy Lever, Rumworth, and Tonge with the Haulgh were covered in the first phase of the project, which was approved in 2015 and paid for by one-off capital funding.

Work was originally due to finish by April 2017, but has been delivered weeks ahead of schedule.

Bolton Council’s executive cabinet member for environmental services, Cllr Nick Peel, said: “In 2015 we made a commitment to making all appropriate residential roads in Bolton 20mph.

“I’m really pleased we are delivering what we promised to do, and that work on the first phase has finished ahead of schedule. Work is now underway on the remaining residential streets suitable for reduced speeds.

“We know that residents want their streets to feel safer and be safer, and reducing speed is one way we can do this.

“We have had positive responses from schools and residents. Extensive 20mph limits reduce the risk and severity of accidents, and will undeniably help our local communities.”

A number of other 20mph areas have also been introduced by the council, funded through a variety of different sources.

One school to benefit from the new speed limit rollout is Moorgate Primary School, in Tonge, which is located in the centre of an extensive 20mph speed limit area.

Headteacher Debbie Hopwood said: “I’m really pleased that the council has introduced new 20mph signs near the school.

“The safety of our children is paramount and anything that might make motorists think twice about driving too fast near schools is worth praising.”

Work is also now underway on the second phase of the 20mph programme.

This will benefit a further 1,261 streets and roads in Astley Bridge, Bradshaw, Breightmet, Bromley Cross, Harper Green, Heaton, Horwich, Hulton, Lostock, Smithills, and Westhoughton.

These wards do already have some 20mph speed limit areas in place.

This work has been funded from an additional council one-off capital fund earmarked for road safety improvements.

Phase two of the programme is due to be finished by the end of 2017.