School of thought as consultation extended

PROPOSED Saddleworth School for the Shaw pallet works site, Diggle.

OLDHAM Council is hosting an extra drop-in event at which locals can view the highways proposals surounding the new £19.2million Saddleworth School.

The move comes after outraged Diggle residents complained of the short notice for the first consultation, which takes place today.

Saddleworth parish councillor Keith Lucas wrote to Oldham Council attacking the original plan, saying a public promise had been made to Diggle residents that they would not be inconvenienced over Christmas.

In the letter he asked: “‘How is the local public supposed to review and ask questions in a public drop-in lasting only four hours? With over 660 households in Diggle plus outlying villagers from Dobcross concerned over the road plans and wanting to see the plans, that’s unmanageable.

“If our assumptions are right, the plan will propose a controlled traffic-light system that will affectively be a permanent ‘toll gate’ system and affect every resident and business in Diggle and surrounding areas 24 hours a day and 52 weeks of the year. There needs to be a full and fair chance for everyone to see the plans.”

In addition to today’s event at Kiln Green Church (3pm-7.30pm), another will take place at Diggle Band Club on December 15 (3pm-8.30pm).