Where the street has no name. . . or light

Councillors Phil Harrison (left) and Steven Bashforth want a sign telling people they are on Macauley Street

NEGLECTED residents feel left in the dark living on a street with no name.

The residents in Spindle Court, Royton — a complex for the over-50s — say no sign has been put up for Macauley Street, yet millions of pounds have been spent on the NHS Health Centre built in the road.

And while a street light column has been erected, it has stood for months with no lamp attached.

Residents first raised the issues with Councillor Phil Harrison in October — expressing concerns that the lack of a sign could hamper emergency services.

Councillor Harrison labelled Oldham Council disgraceful for treating the neighbourhood in such a “cavalier manner”.

He said: “This is insulting to the residents. They are worried that the lack of a street sign is putting lives at risk because emergency vehicles are having difficulty in locating Macauley Street — in an emergency minutes can be critical!

“I’ve tried to get a sign before, but have been knocked back because of the lack of budget, but it’s such a simple thing to do.

“The light is also a ludicrous situation in a neighbourhood inhabited by elderly people. It’s a real danger so this job needs to be completed before someone has a nasty fall!”

Councillor Mark Alcock, cabinet member for citizens and neighbourhoods, said: “This street sign is associated with the development of the new health centre so we will be working with the developers to ensure a replacement is put in place as soon as possible.

“The emergency services operate with the aid of GPS navigational aids which will guide them direct to an emergency incident, rather than having to rely on a street sign.”

He said a street light column was removed as part of the construction work associated with the new health centre.

A new column was installed on November 18 and an order was sent to Electricity North West for an electrical service connection on November 24.

He said the work on the connection would be carried out this week.




Complaints about street lighting can be reported to the Highways Department on 0161-770 4336.