THE ON-GOING problems at one of Saddleworth’s most contentious bridges have been studied first hand by a senior Oldham Council cabinet member.
Cllr Dave Hibbert spent more than an hour with officials at the ancient Delph crossing which proves a daily nightmare for travellers.
Afterwards, he declared he would give “serious consideration” to any scheme to ease passage over the narrow, one-way bridge.
Last month, the Independent highlighted a standoff between two vehicles at the bridge, which links High Street to King Street.
Nicola Kirkham, who has been campaigning over snarl-up problems, witnessed the five-minute confrontation as two vehicles trying to cross the bridge caused grid-lock.
The Council has already altered Give Way markings on the bridge but there are calls for other measures, such as existing road signage, to be reviewed.
Cllr Hibbert, Cabinet Member for Environment and Housing, carried out his traffic watch with the council’s traffic engineer Andy Cowell and Gordon Anderson, service delivery manager for highways and engineering.
And he has asked officers to take the issue to the District Partnership to gain an insight into their thinking on potential solutions.
He said: “If local elected members and residents can identify a way forward that is acceptable to a meaningful majority of people we will give it our serious consideration.
“Oldham Council regards all Pennine villages as being valuable assets to our borough. We intend to do everything in our power to retain their attractiveness and safeguard the quality of life of the local people.
“Part of the charm of village life is features such as Delph Bridge. Unfortunately, they were not designed and constructed with our 21st century lifestyle in mind.
“It is impossible to adapt them in a manner that would respond to modern requirements and yet still retain their character.”
Cllr Kirkham declared: “At last someone from Oldham Council realises something has to be done before there is a serious altercation on the bridge and somebody may get hurt.
“We do not want to spoil the look of any of our quaint little villages with lots of signage – but one give way sign is not going to do that.
“If you do not live in Saddleworth and do not know the lay out of the bridge then it is very easy to tailgate and just sail through not even realising the problem.
“If there is a clear give way sign at the top of the bridge it won’t solve the problem but ease it immensely.”
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