Council slammed for lack of consultation over Greenfield road closure

Cllr John McCann

Queensway road closure due to new housing development

By Stuart Littleford

A local councillor has slammed Oldham Council for a “lack of consultation” with Greenfield residents over a two week road closure in the area.

A section of road on Queensway, in Greenfield, will be closed for two weeks to allow the connection of utilities services to a new housing development.

Councillor John McCann has written to Oldham Council slamming closure due to start on 24 November.

Cllr McCann has received strong support from local Greenfield residents, with one of them saying: “There has been no consultation with hundreds of local residents living on Queensway, Carr Lane, Beech Avenue, Wood Square or Lower Carr Lane who face a huge diversion via Uppermill of more than a mile to drive to Greenfield, Oldham or Ashton.”

Residents are also concerned that there will also be no buses for two weeks on the 354 and 353 routes through Queensway and Carr Lane, so residents without cars face a long walk to Greenfield or Uppermill. And that many elderly residents cannot walk this far and will be stranded for two weeks.

Cllr McCann told Saddleworth News: “Why did Oldham Council not even bother to talk with either the bus company First Bus who operate the 354 and 353 services or Transport for Greater Manchester who subsidise these buses?”

He has also demanded that Oldham Council install temporary traffic lights instead of closing Queensway to all road traffic for two weeks, he also said a single line road could and should remain open whilst this utility work is undertaken.

Councillor Dave Hibbert, Cabinet Member for Housing, Planning and Transport told Saddleworth News: “We will have to close Queensway, in Greenfield, from its junction with Wellington Road for a distance of 65 metres, on Monday, November 24, to enable vital utility works.

“Local diversions will be clearly signed, however motorists are asked to give themselves extra time, especially during peak times.

“The work is anticipated to take around two weeks.

“Transport for Greater Manchester and First Bus have both been consulted and the contractor has been instructed to send letters to residents immediately affected.

“Emergency services, councillors, residents’ associations and Saddleworth Parish Council have all been informed and an information sign at the closure point is being installed to give notification of the closure.”

Author: Jude Gidney - Editor

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