A DAD-OF-TWO is called for better traffic calming measures in Burtonwood as a lasting legacy to the love of his life.

Alan Lomax, of Melrose Avenue, has started a petition to improve road safety in the area following a near-miss with his wife Rene, who died two months later on June 6 at the age of 74.

He said: “We walked together, holding hands as we always did, down Colne Road to get to Burtonwood Community Centre by crossing the very busy thoroughfare of Chapel Lane.

“On arriving at the kerb, Rene made a simple mistake that many have made.

“She put one foot off the kerb and onto the road without looking to her right.

“The key to her narrow escape from serious injury was holding hands.

“After pulling her back I held her in my arms, a crying, trembling loved one who was in danger of going into severe shock.

“All his happened to her while in recovery from her second stroke and it wasn't easy to calm her down.

“In the short time she had left, she was always in the company of two or more friends or myself when crossing the road to the community centre.”

The 77-year-old believes the best solution would be for a traffic light crossing to be built, similar to the one at St Michael’s Church.

“I do not want anyone else to fear crossing the road to the community centre as my Rene did,” he added.

“I believe it will help people of all ages cope with a very dangerous and stressful situation.”

A consultation focusing on traffic calming measures in the village will start on September 17.

This will run until October 12.

Two drop-in events will be held at Burtonwood Community Centre on September 25 and October 2 from 2pm - 7pm.