RESOLUTE VILLAGERS are battling on to try to secure solutions to their traffic concerns in the centre of Denshaw.
Hundreds of locals have signed a petition, which is backed by Debbie Abrahams, MP for Oldham East and Saddleworth, to press for action to control traffic and curb excessive speeds.
They are also trying to address numerous other problems including an unsafe crossroads layout where five ‘A’ roads meet and huge delays there when the M62 is closed.
They are also concerned about vehicle weight restrictions on Delph Road being ignored and missing road safety measures outside Denshaw School.
Last month, village representatives and the MP met with Highways England and highways engineers from Oldham Council and the Area Traffic Manager from Greater Manchester Police.
Alan Roughley, chair of Denshaw Community Asssociation, said: “There was a general wringing of hands at the shortage of resources due to cuts in government budgets and a straight denial by Highways England that they have any responsibility to pay for the upkeep and improvements on diversionary routes.
“Debbie Abrahams MP undertook to approach Highways England at a high level to drive home how the five-way crossroads are quite unable to cope when the M62 is closed.
“As there are major works being carried out to widen the motorway and increase its capacity by one third, the number of closures and volume of diverted traffic is certain to increase.”
He continued: “Both highways and police agreed that physical restrictions to prevent speeding rather than cameras and prosecutions are the way to go.
“Traffic lights, a 20mph school zone, speed bumps, redesigning the crossroads layout and chicanes were all mentioned.
“Someone crossing any of the five A roads that meet in the centre of this village are more likely to be knocked down than when crossing Union Street in the centre of Oldham,” he claimed.
Highways officers will measure traffic levels in coming weeks and the police will work with Transport for Greater Manchester to produce statistics on the speed of every vehicle passing through.
They will be meeting again in July to put forward more developed suggestions and sources of possible funding will be explored.
Mr Roughley added: “This village is now a major eastern gateway for the new Manchester City region and should be treated as such.
“We are fed up and had enough. This village is intimidated by the traffic that passes through.
“The village community association is determined that every possibility for bringing traffic under control is explored and every public body with a responsibility is questioned and pushed into taking action.”
For more information or to get involved with the campaign, please contact Alan Roughley: 01457 870074. You can sign the petition online: www.change.org/p/control-traffic-through-denshaw/c
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