A COUNCILLOR has hit out at unsuitable vehicles using a Greenfield bridge.
The small stretch over Chew Brook at Oak View Road, where it becomes Ladhill Lane, has weight and width restrictions on it.
Officially, nothing over three tonnes can go over but Helen Bishop has spotted larger vehicles, including those carrying deliveries from Tesco, using it.
And after asking Oldham Council to repair bollards on neighbouring Greenbridge Lane, which lead to the bridge, twice in the last ‘few weeks,’ she has had enough.
The Saddleworth South Liberal Democrat said: “I have noticed, especially when it comes to Ladhill Bridge, is that it is regularly being used by vehicles that are well above the maximum weight limit and are clearly too big to use it.
“These include minibuses, large van rentals, supermarket and retail delivery trucks, such as a Tesco van that I spotted doing it a few weeks ago, with the driver telling me that they have always used this route.
“This makes it worse, not better.”
Ladhill Bridge is an 18th century pack horse thoroughfare and is Grade-II listed, first getting the recognition in 1984.
But Cllr Bishop, who believes supermarket delivery van are among the worst culprits, will ask Greater Manchester Police to take action against anyone who breaks the limit.
Traffic calming measures on and around Greenbridge Lane will be introduced this year in a bid to tackle the issue.
And she added: “I shall be contacting the major supermarkets to warn them about continuing to do this, and asking the neighbourhood police to take appropriate enforcement action wherever possible.
“This is to protect the Grade-II listed ancient packhorse bridge, pedestrians and council tax payers.”
Saddleworth Independent has contacted Tesco for comment about claims drivers of its vehicles are breaching the regulations.
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