Promise for village 'ruined by traffic'

Denshaw

DENSHAW, Saddleworth's most isolated village, is to be included in a Highways England "agreed diversion routes" trial.

After public meetings convened by Oldham East and Saddleworth MP Debbie Abrahams, Highways England (HE) has pledged to include the village in a pilot programme surrounding the village being used as a diversion route off the M62.

Debbie said: "I have had confirmation from HE a trial will be taking place in the north west and the diversionary route will be included in the pilot programme.

"HE have told me the trial will be from November through to March next year to benchmark the current status of 'agreed diversion routes'.

"This is to devise a plan for bringing them up to a standard in the short and long term and put together a plan for a national roll-out."

She added: "This means Denshaw's use as a diversion route will be one of the first to be reviewed nationally and HE will gain an understanding of the current issues associated with it.

"The trial will also identify what further measures and improvements are needed in order to ensure the route meets the nationally agreed standard. This shows what we can do when we work together.

"HE have said they will be liaising with Oldham highways and there will be an opportunity for the council to input into the pilot scheme. Residents will also receive feedback from the pilot scheme."

Alan Roughley, chairman of the community association, said: "Our village is ruined by traffic.

"For more than 40 years there have been vociferous complaints to the highways authorities and the police but without result.

"Problems have worsened in recent years with HGVs adding to the fast moving cars.

"Recent speed tests revealed the average speed on each of the five roads that meet in the centre of the village is well above the 30mph limit.

"The other major problem is we are on the only diversionary route when the M62 is closed between Jn21-22 and/or Jn22-23.

"All the M62 traffic channelled onto the single lanes of our local roads causes complete gridlock in minutes," he asserted.

"A recent major disruption lasted 11 hours. A redesign of the notorious crossroads is badly needed to cope with 44-tonne articulated vehicles.

"Everybody who lives in and around the village is a member of the community association and together we are determined to have another go at these worsening problems."

He went on: "In times of local government austerity it will not be easy but we are negotiating with Transport for Greater Manchester, GMP, Oldham Council (Unity Partnership) as the highways authority and HE, responsible for the efficient running of the motorway network.

"Our MP is fully supportive and we have started to make several small but significant steps.

"Denshaw Primary School may be getting a 20mph safety zone. HE are including the Denshaw diversion in a pilot scheme leading to possible improvements over the whole national network."