Streets to be blocked to cars to stop nightmare rat-running

Chiefs are proposing to install planters and bollards to block roads to cars to stop ‘rat-running’ traffic in an Oldham neighbourhood.

Oldham council has unveiled proposals for an ‘Active Neighbourhood’ in Chadderton North and Westwood.

The area was chosen, leaders say, because data showed that vehicles were using it as a cut-through.

Council chiefs said that the authority had also been contacted by residents concerned about traffic and congestion in an area with several primary schools.

Active Neighbourhoods in other areas of Greater Manchester have seen streets and roads closed to traffic, but made accessible to people on bikes and on foot.

The aim is to create ‘safer, quieter, and more attractive areas so residents have places where they can spend time with their family, friends and neighbours’.

Bosses in Oldham say this can be achieved by installing items such as planters or bollards on streets as ‘vehicle filters’ to reduce the amount of traffic passing through neighbourhoods and stop people taking short cuts.

The council says that Active Neighbourhood areas can improve walking routes, enhance parks, and ensure streets around Burnley Brown and Bare Trees Primary Schools are safer and quieter at pick up times.

There would be four access zones for motor vehicles to allow people to travel to households, from Broadway and Oldham Way, Featherstall Road, Featherstall Road North, and Middleton Road.

People would not be able to travel on residential streets to access another of the four zones, but would have to use main roads to travel to the entry point.

“By restricting rat running traffic it will be easier and safer for residents to move around on foot, by wheelchair, with a buggy or pram, and by bike,” council leader Amanda Chadderton said.

“Less vehicles in the area will also cut air pollution and improve health.”

Other Active Neighbourhoods are also being developed across Greater Manchester as part of the Bee Network vision to provide a better transport system that will join buses, trams, trains, cycling and walking.

An online consultation into the Oldham plans has been launched, which runs until November 4, and four in-person consultation events are being held on October 18.

These will take place at  OBA Millennium Cultural Centre on Featherstall Road North with sessions at 1pm and 2pm.

There will also be evening sessions at Chadderton Wellbeing Centre on Burnley Street at 6pm and 7pm.

People can book a place or access the online consultation at: www.oldham.gov.uk/activetravel

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