A MAJOR project to improve the safety of one of Rochdale town centre’s busiest roads has been completed.

Around £200,000 was spent on designing a scheme to help pedestrians in Yorkshire Street and Halifax Road.

Between 2003 and 2006, there were 35 crashes resulting in 49 casualties, including nine children.

It is hoped the improvements will help to cut the number of accidents and they were welcomed by Heybrook Primary School.

Many of the upgrades were carried out near the school after the community campaigned for road safety improvements following the removal of the lollipop attendant.

Pupils and staff were involved in the project and helped to design 27 footpath mats which have been installed around all the junctions on the approach to the school. They are intended to remind the children to make sure that they cross the road safely.

Rima Ahmed, a team leader at the school, said: "Last year the pupils entered a competition where they had to design a road safety mat.

"We lost our school crossing patrol and then the signals were changed to try to make the road safer for the children.

"Four pupils from Year 6 designed the winning entry which was selected by members of Rochdale Council’s road safety team and we were really pleased with the design.

"They are really proud of their achievements and were delighted when the mats were unveiled."

Other changes include the installation of a pedestrian island designed to make the road easier to cross.

Three existing pedestrian crossings have been upgraded to puffin crossings, which give people longer to cross.

A spokesman for the Impact Partnership, which runs the council’s highways services, said: "Impact road safety and the highways engineering department are doing their utmost to reduce the number of collisions and injuries suffered by all road users."