A CAMPAIGNING councillor is seeking a borough pledge to deal with pothole problems on vital Saddleworth country roads.
Cllr Nicola Kirkham says key side lanes are sometimes the only access to homes scattered across the hillsides but are often riddled with holes, such as at Thurston Clough Lane, linking Scouthead to Delph.
“The lane is almost impassable,” says Cllr Kirham, who is Oldham’s only female independent councillor. “Some roads in Saddleworth are in a very sorry state.
“I’m sympathetic that money had to stretch across the borough on maintenance and repairs. But there are signs a 24-hour promise to repair potholes on major roads is in place.
“Can Oldham pledge these issues will be dealt with sooner rather than later?”
Cllr Kirkham is backed by Geoff Bailey, chair of Saddleworth White Rose Society, who said he reported pothole problems on Thurston Clough Road to Oldham Council months ago.
He explained: “In one area rings were painted around the holes but it was several weeks before repairs were carried out.
“The situation has now worsened and although potholes have been filled with hardcore on several occasions this has been bounced out by passing vehicles.
“Lack of essential maintenance inevitably leads to further deterioration. Saving money by doing nothing is not cost effective.”
An OMBC spokesman said highway inspectors regularly check all adopted roads and footpaths for defects including potholes.
Response times vary depending upon the size, depth and location of the pothole and whether or not it is causing a danger to the public.
Commenting on Thurston Clough Road he added: “There were around 15 requests for service received last year in relation to potholes defective carriageway on that road.
“There were a number received around June and July and these were repaired in August. The last report received was on December 12 with repairs completed by January 4.”
Recently, Oldham Council revealed in a freedom of information request to local authorities, the borough had a current road repair bill worth £60million — one of the highest in England.
Initial figures, as part of a highway maintenance funding formula allocation, show Oldham is likely to receive just over £12.7 million – the sixth lowest amount in Greater Manchester – from the Government’s fund over the next year years.
Cllr Dave Hibbert, Oldham Council’s Cabinet member for housing, planning and transport, said: “It would cost around £60m to bring our borough’s entire road network up to scratch.
“To get this in perspective, due to government funding cuts, we have to make savings of £60m across the whole of the council over the next two years.
“With two-thirds of our network made up of rural roads we are faced with extensive maintenance as a consequence of severe winter weather conditions.
“We know improving our roads is a priority and Roads Minister Robert Goodwill visited Oldham in December 2012 and was impressed by our priority repairs programme.
“Even with all the challenges we face, we are still committed to improving the 500 miles of our borough’s roads.”
Oldham Council regularly inspects roads but relies heavily on the public to bring defects to its attention. Residents should report pot holes on 0161 770 4325 or online at www.oldham.gov.uk/potholes
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