RESOLUTE CAMPAIGNERS in Denshaw are mustering a petition in a bid to protect their tiny community from speeding drivers.
Villagers have launched the petition, 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.
The petition to Oldham Council, Highways England, GMP and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority urges the public bodies to prepare an effective traffic calming and crossroads improvement scheme.
It says bluntly: “It is time a crossroads built in the 1820s is made fit for 21st century traffic.
It adds: “Our children need protecting from traffic when going to or leaving the primary school. Pedestrians feel they are at risk when crossing any of these roads.
“The present crossroads layout cannot cope with traffic diverted through the village every time the M62 has an incident between Junctions 21, 22 and 23. Complete gridlock and long delays are all too common.”
Hundreds of locals have signed the petition already and left comments, including residents as well as people who drive regularly through the village.
Paul Hyde wrote: “The roads are a joke here, so many accidents as people can’t figure out the cross roads and speed through the village.”
Simon Cottom added: “The increase in traffic and also the high speed of said traffic through the village is making it dangerous for anybody to use these roads whether on foot, cycle or horse.”
And Zahida Sarwar Sarwar said: “In this day and age I am amazed there are no traffic calming measures in place near this school.”
Alan Roughley, chair of Denshaw Community Association, said: “Ever since the M62 opened, Denshaw has been split in two by fast moving traffic.
“Cars, heavy trucks and vans all seem to ignore speed limits and warning signs. We also have the notorious junction at the centre, which badly needs a complete rethink.
“We see this campaign in two phases. First, talk with the Highways Engineers and traffic experts to see what is technically possible.
“They should be able to give us broad indications as to how much each option might cost and how effective any changes might be.
“Then we have to try and persuade some public body, whether at national or city region level, to come up with the funding to make such improvements happen.”
Village representatives and MP Debbie Abrahams are meeting Highways England and Oldham Council on March 11 to talk about the problems.
For more information or to get involved with the campaign, please contact Alan Roughley: 01457 870074. You can sign the petition online here.
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