Two roads top list for pothole claims

John McCann

OLDHAM Council paid out only £10,500 in insurance claims for damage caused by holes in the borough's roads last year.

Two roads topped the list for the most claims - Park Bridge Road, Oldham and Huddersfield Road, Diggle - with seven claims each.

The findings were revealed after a Freedom of Information request to the council and highlighted claims by motorists, lorries and cyclists.

In all, the council paid £10,587.36 in respect of claims for damage to vehicles received between January 1 and December 31 last year.

Saddleworth Ward councillor John McCann defended the council's road repair schemes. He said: "In my opinion, they have one of the more efficient resurfacing programmes.

"Professional evaluations are carried out to determine 'best value' and greatest need. The council also resists 'minor or frivolous' claims.

"One of our budget proposals is that while money is comparatively 'cheap,' the council should borrow some £5.5million to catch up on the major road repairs which would hopefully reduce damage claims and leave more of the annual resources to repair the minor roads."

His council colleague, Cllr Garth Harkness, said: "It is frustrating some pothole repairs seem to be a false economy when a hole can be filled in and then washes away a couple of days later.

"Sealing these holes would make much more sense. There is a need for a significant investment in repairs and the problem is that cut-backs to local government disproportionately harm councils like Oldham because they gain less from council tax revenue.

"Until we see a fairer funding system, Oldham is going to keep taking an unfair portion of cuts."

Saddleworth parish councillor Keith Lucas, who lives in Diggle, said: "Because of national government cutbacks, road repairs have taken a back seat.

"All Saddleworth roads are at breaking point, infrastructural demands, increased car ownership and poor public transport infrastructure have led to a road planning impasse.

"The success of Uppermill as Saddleworth's retail centre highlights the dilemma of the lack of public parking spaces."

He forecast roads, transport and parking will be among the most hotly debated subjects - with greenfield development and housing - in the upcoming Saddleworth Neighbourhood Plan Referendum.

An Oldham council spokesman said a three-monthly cycle of highways safety last year has been carried out at Huddersfield Road, with another inspection scheduled this month.

Park Bridge Road raised three work orders in September last year.

"Both roads are on a works programme to be resurfaced. There are no dates when this will be carried out," he added.