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Signs torn down in speed storm
Reporter: KEN BENNETT
Date online: 08 September 2009
A backlash against high-speed motorists has seen new road signs at a Saddleworth beauty spot flattened.
A wave of signs have appeared across villages allowing drivers to travel up to 60mph on narrow country lanes.
But worried locals believe the derestrictions pose a serious threat to children, walkers, horse-riders and other road users.
Two signs, showing the national 60mph speed limit, were erected at the junction of Church Road, Church Lane, Gellfield Lane and Running Hill Gate last week.
But now both have been pulled up, one leaving a gaping hole on a footpath, and the other sign left forlornly at the roadside.
Wayne Rawstron (47) is landlord of The Cross Keys, which stands on a hillside above Uppermill.
He said: “We want drivers to go slower — not be permitted to drive faster. It’s stupid to put signs up in a country area with narrow lanes.”
Julian Taylor (41) runs the Church Inn on Church Lane, near Saddleworth Parish Church, which is also in the designated derestricted zone.
He said: “The signs give out confusing messages. If, for example, you drove at high speed and were involved in an accident, you could actually be driving without due care and attention.
“The irony is the two signs which have been demolished have 30mph warnings fitted to the other side going down Church Road to Uppermill — it’s crazy.”
Parish councillor Ken Hulme has accused planners of a “common-sense bypass” by erecting new speed signs leading off the notorious A62 Oldham to Huddersfield Road.
He said: “I suppose there is some sort of mad logic in putting a derestricted sign next to the sign pointing to Saddleworth Parish Council Cemetery. Travelling at high speed along these narrow winding lanes is one of the quickest ways to end up buried there.
“If people want to spend money on rural roads, they could spend money filling in potholes which are reaching epidemic proportions.”
But Councillor Mohib Uddin, Cabinet member for regeneration, stressed the council is not encouraging drivers to speed up.
He said: “The Highway Code states speed limits are a maximum permissible upper limit — not a speed that has to be attained. Drivers should be aware of road conditions and drive accordingly.”
Cabinet member for environment and infrastructure, Councillor Mark Alcock, added: “Defacing signs is dangerous and irresponsible. Vandals will be prosecuted.
“If anyone has any information about these incidents I would urge them to call the council on 0161-770 6644 or Crimestoppers on 0800-555 111.”
Comments
Bonkers. How do these peoples minds work? We have another situation where you are driving toward Greenfield from Mossley along Stockport Road, the speed limit is 30mph for the majority of this stretch, much of which is dead straight and as wide as the M1. But then just as you reach the junction at Farrars Arms (where traffic coming from Oldham has to give way - often with difficulty), the limit is 40mph!
how come all of a sudden ombc are wasting money putting these signs up? the speed limits have been there for years. people drive to the road conditions.
there are hardly any accidents before these signs where installed. whats made them start putting them up everywhere?
just give us good roads in the first place instead of blowing all the budget on useless signs like these!
Typical Councillors response to common sense questions, why do we have to put up with this nonsense from the Government and Local Council Offices ?
It would make more sense to get our troops out of Afghanistan then protect our coastlines etc..from this sort of "threat from terrorism to us" excuse around at present.
We could use a few of them - FULLY ARMED at strategic points around Saddleworth helping the Police to get the Law & Order back into the UK.
The biggest culprits in terms of vandalism are Oldham Council.
What will it take for council's to listen to the public.
Do children have to die first before anything can get done properly?
how ironic that the people behind this cause claim to base their argument on the fact of the signs danger to road users, yet see no harm or potential hazards in leaving them on the road way and pavement with the holes not filled in. Typical moaning saddleworth
I live on the A62 and the single track roads all have these national speed limit signs which is madness, if they must put a sign up on these road it would be better to put single track road with passing places. Perhaps Councillor Mohib Uddin should pay a visit to Saddleworth and see the situation for himself
I use these roads and ones with similar signs around the Diggle area and its total madness to put derestriced signs up. Anyone travelling at those sort of speeds, in fact anything over 25/30mph is just asking for trouble. The roads are totally unsuitable for that sort of "maximum permissible upper limit". The A62 at Scouthead is a known deathtrap and has now been reduced to 40mph- why on earth would local narrow country lanes have a derestriction on?
Yep lets go back to a man in front of the car waving a flag Mr Hulme, I'm sure you'd appreciate that kind of backwards thinking.
National speed limits apply to certain areas which do not meet a certain standard, street lighting being one them. The council have a duty to inform motorists where these areas begin and end. Failure to do so could result in Police being unable to prosecute speeding motorists
Nice to know that there are people out there with common sense unlike the clueless Uddin and Alcock.
Here they go again, the Saddleworth whine merchants. All road signs in Saddleworth should be replaced with left turn signs. We can then watch as they whizz round in ever decreasing circles,before vanishing into their own potholes! A£cock, Cabinet member for evasion & inactivity, said 'Defacing signs is dangerous and irresponsible. Vandals will be prosecuted.' This caused several members of the public to fall into a deep coma. Thus becoming eligible to live in Saddleworth.
Can't believe the council has missed a chance to waste more money on speed bumps and put up signs instead. Surely the highways department can spend money with greater effect than this? How many holes could have been filled for what this cost?
Well said flake, most of you have just seen red and got angry without thinking it out. Whether there are signs there or not a speeding motorist will speed, however if there is a sign there telling the motorist the speed limit then when he is caught speeding he cant say there was no signs. I agree with protection of children and other road users (bikes and horses) maybe this is a first step in doing that.
Have Your Say
I know those lanes well and for the council to put derestricted signs up is yet another sign of the sheers stupidity of Oldham council. They don't have a clue about anything.
By Max Damage @ 08/09/2009 12:28:40