Crisis meeting demand over High Moor access

THIS access road to High Moor Quarry may soon be closed - leaving HGVs to negotiate tight bends past homes.

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WORRIED residents living in the shadow of Oldham’s most controversial landfill are calling for a crisis meeting over traffic access to the site.

The move surrounds a key road linking the site to the main A62 Oldham-Huddersfield road at Scouthead.

The road was built across agricultural land to allow lorries and heavy plant access to the landfill.

But the original agreement, set up before current owners Veolia Environmental Services took over, required the road to return to agricultural land within 12 months of landfill operations ending.

Though the site closed for tipping in January 2014, it continues to produce gas. Tankers will remove contiminated liquids for up to 30 years, and currently three tankers a day visit Highmoor. Drilling rigs will also be on site at times.

Residents fear if the existing road closes, vehicles would use a narrow road through a residential area or a country lane to get to the site.

Saddleworth parish councillor Robert Knotts has asked for a meeting with Oldham Council, Veolia, councillors and the Highmoor residents group to resolve the issues.

Councillor Knotts said: “Currently,the situation is a dog’s breakfast. What is totally lacking by both Veolia and the council is any focus on the impact faced by the community.”

Joan Sykes, chair of Scouthead and Austerlands Community Group, lives near Thorpe Lane.

She said: “Closing the road to the quarry will cause problems for residents and lorry drivers. Doctor Lane and Thorpe Lane are totally unsuitable for HGVs or a large number of vehicles. Perhaps the council should investigate the impact on residents.”

An Oldham Council spokesman reiterated the planning condition that demands removal of the temporary road following the closure of operations at the site