Traffic to new school ‘will ruin our village’

Saddleworth School Plans

A pretty conservation village has become a hotbed in an escalating war of words over the new £19 million Saddleworth School.

Concerns increased in Dobcross after Oldham Council revealed draft plans and options to address traffic issues surrounding the school site at Huddersfield Road, Diggle.

Villagers say increased volumes of traffic on the narrow roads have already raised major safety concerns in Dobcross.

And they believe when the school is built in Diggle, roads through Dobcross will turn the village into a rat-run for vehicles taking a short cut via Woods Lane, Platt Lane and Sugar Lane.

Mike Buckley, a parish councillor who lives in the village, said: “We now know the full extent of the horrors Oldham Council has decided to inflict on Dobcross following the decision to move the school to Diggle.

“The council fully expects an increased volume of traffic through the village centre. What’s its solution? Not control of the traffic volumes — but to impose speed humps, chicanes and every highways horror of the urban environment.

“These measures will achieve absolutely nothing other than to wreck the village character. I despair.”

Paul Clegg is deputy chair of the Dobcross Village Community (DVC), highlighted one of the council options — traffic calming measures along Sugar Lane.

He said: “The speed bumps priority area along with the accompanying signage will make Sugar Lane impossible to drive down and it will look absolutely dreadful.

“The village will be ruined and it will not stop traffic coming through. The whole issue needs careful examination and discussion otherwise our village could completely destroyed.”

Now the DVC has produced and circulated its own leaflet urging locals to attend special consultations being staged to allow villagers to study a series of highway options surrounding school.

And it plans to stage its own village meeting inviting council officers, ward and parish councillors to discuss their concerns.

Councillor Dave Hibbert, cabinet member for housing, planning and transport, said: “We recognise some vehicles may opt to change their route and go through Dobcross to Diggle and we are looking at potential solutions.

“These are at an early stage but I will be more than happy to meet with villagers to discuss their concerns and look at potential options.”

Plans and highway proposals for the new school can be viewed at: www.newsaddleworthschool.co.uk. The remaining consultation events are on Thursday and Monday, June 22, 4-7.30pm at Saddleworth School, High Street, Uppermill.