Council Responds To Delph School Safety Concerns

Denshaw Road outside Delph School.

Oldham Council has responded to claims that a pedestrian crossing is now “clearly required” as part of the safety zone outside Delph School. A senior councillor has said that new road signs warning motorists about the school safety zone will be going up during the summer holidays, adding that just two people in last year’s public consultation asked for a full pedestrian crossing on Denshaw Road.

The latest instalment of what has been a long-running issue was prompted by a question to the council’s Cabinet tabled by Delph-based parish councillor Ken Hulme. In his question, Cllr Hulme described the safety zone, which consists of various traffic calming measures but not a pedestrian crossing, as “long delayed.”

He went on: “The construction of the new adventure playground at Swan Meadow now means that many more children will now be crossing the busy Denshaw Road from the Carrcote Estate and Ainley Wood to visit Swan Meadow. A crossing is clearly required for out of school hours’ use as well as during term and school times.”

Cllr Hulme, who is an independent member of Saddleworth Parish Council, added: “Are Oldham Council going to conduct a proper investigation into why this project has taken so long to complete and why local residents’ stated preference for a 20mph zone and a pedestrian crossing were ignored and a more expensive and much less effective, some would say less safe, scheme was imposed on the local community?”

Oldham Council’s response has come from John McCann, who represents Saddleworth South for the Liberal Democrats and holds the Environment and Regeneration portfolio in the Lib Dem/Tory coalition administration. He said a “remarkable amount of time, effort and consultation” had gone into last year’s public consultation, which attracted 84 replies from 532 leaflets issued to local people.

Cllr McCann said the “overwhelming majority” of responses backed the safety zone plans, with just 15 people calling for a 20mph zone and only two asking for a pedestrian crossing. However, he added that the safety zone will be monitored in case it becomes clear that further safety facilities are needed.

On the issue of signs, Cllr McCann added: “Technology is now available with number plate recognition and display. However, due to the concerns expressed in finalising the scheme a decision has been taken to install traditional equipment, which will be installed over the summer holidays.”

Cllr McCann finished his response by directly addressing Cllr Hulme, saying: “The Council has listened to the wishes of the majority of local residents and has based its actions on their feedback and professional advice and not as you do as part of a publicity campaign.”

Author: Jude Gidney - Editor

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