Transport links in Oldham under public scrutiny

Leader of Oldham Council, Cllr Sean Fielding

Transport links in Oldham are being put under the microscope as the borough’s council begins a consultation on improving services.

Accessible Oldham is supporting Oldham Council’s regeneration aims and wants to transform travel in and around the town centre.

All modes of transport are involved, with a focus on encouraging environmentally-friendly travel.

Upgraded pedestrian areas and cycling routes, improvements to the road network, and enhanced access to support regeneration work are the focus of the consultation.

Better cycling routes and facilities and better access to bus and Metrolink stops could be the key areas of change.

Oldham town centre is undergoing a long-term regeneration plan, with changes like turning the Old Town Hall into a state-of-the-art cinema and restaurant complex designed to give the local area a boost.

Oldham Council says it’s important to have good transport links to get visitors from other areas in and out of the town centre as easily as possible.

£6million has been allocated to Oldham from Greater Manchester’s latest injection of government cash from the Growth Deal funding.

Councillor Sean Fielding, Leader of Oldham Council, said: “We have real ambition for our town centre and in a short space of time have made great progress through projects such as the Old Town Hall cinema and the new Oldham Leisure Centre.

“We’ve got much more in the pipeline with work ongoing to transform the old Oldham Library building into an Arts and Heritage Centre and will be announcing our plans for Prince’s Gate at Mumps soon.

“Key to all of this, and to a thriving town centre, is making sure it’s an easy place to visit and get around.

“This scheme is so important to everything we’re trying to achieve. We want Oldham town centre to be a nice place to visit, whether you’re travelling by bicycle, Metrolink, bus, car or on foot

“I urge you to take part in the consultation and help us to make travelling into and around Oldham town centre as easy as possible. It could be new cycle lanes, more public space, or a change to the highway network. Tell us what you’d like to see change.”

You can have your say on the Oldham Council website.