CONTROVERSIAL plans to remove a weight restriction for HGV's on a busy road have been shelved after overwhelming public pressure.

Croft Lane in Hollins had its 7.5 tonne weight restriction lifted on a 12 month trial basis in July.

At the time, Bury Council cited that the move would surmount "a source of considerable inconvenience for some local goods traffic", and "help reduce congestion and improve air quality across the whole borough".

However residents hit back labelling the road "dangerous", difficult to cross, and saying that the arrival of heavy goods vehicles puts primary school pupils at even more risk.

One resident, Andrea Hill, who lives in nearby Slatter Street, described an incident where a tractor and heavy trailer knocked down and dragged railings from the corner of Croft Lane and Hollins lane, missing a mother by inches, within 24 hours of the restriction being lifted.

Outlining the u-turn, a Bury Council spokesman said: "Comments received on the proposed removal of the weight restriction have been considered.

"In response to concerns and objections from local residents and ward councillors, the council has now decided not to continue with the proposal.

"Therefore, the experimental removal of the weight restriction for heavy goods vehicles will not be introduced.

"As a consequence, the existing 7.5 tonne weight restriction will remain in place on Croft Lane."

The reversal has been welcomed by residents and ward councillors as a triumph of public pressure, and they hope the move with make the area a nicer and safer place to live.

Councillor David Jones said: "I can say that as a ward councillor I listened to a lot of residents who were unhappy about the number of HGVs passing their homes, and I made comments to the council, and the weight restriction is now going to stay in place.

"I am pleased about the outcome. The residents deserve to be heard. Vehicles have alternative routes to the motorway but residents can only sleep where they sleep."

Councillor Joan Grimshaw, chairman of the Hollins Village Community Association, added: "I am over the moon about this decision and I'm sure that residents will be too.

"When we first heard that the council was going to remove the restriction my phone became like the hotline in the Whitehouse, and I was just devastated.

"We put a lot of work into getting the restriction put in and then all of a sudden they decided to remove it without any consultation.

"This is now not going to happen thanks to councillors, neighbours and residents."

And Mrs Hill said: "I would have been horrified if the restriction had continued after what has happened.

"Everyone in the area, from parents to residents, is hugely relieved. And with the resurfacing that has taken place, hopefully it will be a lot more of a pleasant road to live on."