Rebel driver goes over closed bridge
THIS is the moment a man took the law into his own hands - driving across a closed bridge in protest over the disruption it’s causing for commuters.
Rebel motorist Alan Whitehead, 49, has told the M.E.N. he ‘doesn’t care’ if he’s arrested after crossing Irlam’s new and yet-to-open A57 relief road on Tuesday.
In his van, Alan managed to slip on to the closed A57 site on the tail of workers from contractors Hochtief Buckingham, before making his way across the bridge.
He says he made the journey on behalf of ‘everyone suffering’ in traffic jams caused by the delayed project, run by Peel Land and Property.
Alan uploaded footage of his forbidden foray to Facebook - where it was met by an outpouring of support.
He said: “I am not bothered if the police come and arrest me because this needs highlighting. The council said we are getting a bridge, but they are taking a road away from us. Everybody is struggling. We shouldn’t have to put up with it, I’m fed up - and that’s why I did the video. It’s my little way of telling them to sod off - for everyone who’s suffering.”
He’s vowed to sell his Irlam-based business Moss Farm Fisheries after enduring daily calls from customers who have ‘given up’ trying to get to them.
Despite his anger, he did concede the brand new bridge was ‘beautifully engineered.’ The road and lifting bridge, understood to be complete, were built alongside Barton Bridge by developer Peel to ease traffic congestion and providing a new road into TraffordCity.
However, the work site has resulted in months of congestion - and on Friday the Mayor of Salford branded the lack of an opening date ‘totally unacceptable.’
Peel have promised completion of the £35m road and bridge ‘by the end of the year.’ But a row rumbles on between council chiefs and Peel bosses over who should fund its future maintenance.
Meanwhile, congestion is hitting roads including Worsley Road, Parrin Lane, Monton Road/Half Edge Lane, Liverpool Road, Barton Lane. Peel Green Road, and Barton Road.
Darren Boden, a taxi driver from Eccles said traffic was causing a ‘daily nightmare.’ He added: “When you throw in the daytime melee that is Salford Royal Hospital and Eccles Old Road it seems the people of Salford are living in a car park.”
Driver Rachel Wood said being late to work was affecting lives, adding: “It’s an absolute shambles.”
Speaking before Alan’s drive, Paul Dennett, Salford City Mayor, said he ‘totally sympathised’ with residents and commuters. He added: “It has been an incredibly frustrating time and it is totally unacceptable that Peel have still given us no date for the opening of the bridge.”
A spokesman for Peel Land and Property said they were waiting to hear from contractors Hochtief following the bridge incident.