Family slam Diggle one way traffic system as their house is ravaged by fire after engines struggle to get through

A shocked couple have lost their home to a devastating fire in a Saddleworth village blighted by major traffic problems.

Mrs Jane Faulkner and her husband Dave had to vacate their semi-detached house in Diggle after it was destroyed by fire late yesterday morning (Thursday).

Villagers and businesses have faced problems since earlier in the year when major road works for the new Saddleworth School has led to a one way system of traffic, which has to make a 4.2 mile detour to reach the village centre.

Speaking after the blaze which made their home uninhabitable, Mrs Faulkner said: “Well let’s hope Oldham Council and their one way system are happy.

“When the fire brigade was needed they couldn’t get through and had to do the full detour which cost them valuable time.

"Sadly, we have lost everything - nothing was salvageable.

"Luckily, we have four great kids and lots of excellent friends and neighbours who have helped so much today.

“One of the fire chiefs at the scene said their appliances would have been here sooner if they had not had to take the long detour. 

“This added minutes to their journey which could have been better used to contain the fire.

"The fire brigade were brilliant, but if they could have been here earlier, the damage may not have been so bad.”

Fire crews from Oldham, Stalybridge and Mossley, wearing breathing apparatus, tackled the blaze and remained at the scene for more than two hours. 

A spokesperson for GMFRS said: “Crews work closely with local councils throughout the city-region and are in regular contact with them around maintenance and improvement works being carried out on the roads.

“GMFRS firefighters are residents of the very places where they work and possess specialist knowledge about their local areas. 

“They are well accustomed to planning routes based on the latest information and navigating neighbourhoods and other complex environments when attending incidents, and always do so as quickly as possible.”

A spokesperson for Oldham Council said: “Our thoughts are with the resident at this difficult time. 

“A section of Huddersfield Road is currently one way for general traffic and a diversion route is in place, including ‘access only’ on a number of side roads.  

“Emergency access is always available for emergency vehicles should they need it. 

“We liaise closely with emergency services colleagues when planning and implementing highways works to ensure they are informed and can respond to incidents accordingly. 

“We will continue to work alongside them throughout the duration of the project.” 

The couple lost their 19-year-old pet cat, Tigra, in the blaze.

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