Neighbours face traffic chaos fear

CONCERNED . . . Mersey Road North residents (from left) Samantha Bradshaw, Jamie Bradshaw, Casey Smith and Peter Cramer

CONCERNED neighbours claim “nightmare” plans to create a new access site for a training centre will cause traffic chaos.

Proposals to Oldham Council’s Planning Committee from National Grid call for the demolition of seven redundant buildings, the creation of a new office, storage warehouse and construction of new access on Mersey Road North in Hollinwood. A decision will be made at a civic centre meeting tomorrow.

Residents are concerned mainly about the change of access: this is currently nearer the Oldham Road junction, but which will potentially move further down the road on a blind bend and require removal of a section of the wall around the multi-million-pound training centre, which opened in 2008.

Covering 13,000 sq ft, the two-storey building in Mersey Road North houses a pipe-laying area and deep excavation pit, while a suite of classrooms provides theory-based learning and specialist courses.

Peter Cramer (59), raised 62 signatures on a petition against the change.

He is concerned about the impact more traffic could have on the street: “I’m a shift worker, I would get no peace,” he said. “I’m an HGV driver so I know exactly what’s going to happen. They will be lining up on the road in the morning because they’re on time restraints. If they’re going to park there nobody can get through.

“We’re not totally against it. If they did the entrance at the other side, on Albert Street, it would absorb the light nuisance.”

Stephen Pearson (47), a technician for Virgin Media, signed the petition as he also shares concerns about traffic.

He said: “Why can’t lorries go round the back? It’s bad enough as it is on this road without these big vehicles coming down here as well.”

The council’s highways officer has recommended refusal of the development, citing two accidents on the street in five years.

In the event of an approval, a condition would be included to limit the operational hours, so as to manage noise and other disturbance.