Drivers warned as major road is closed overnight for two days

One of the busiest roads in Oldham will be shut on two nights this week so a bridge can be lowered into position. 

The closure from King Street roundabout to Prince Street on Oldham Way started last night (January 16) and will remain in place between 8pm and 5am this evening (January 17). 

Oldham Council warned: “Oldham Way will be closed in both directions so Waterloo Bridge can be lowered into position.

"We’ll let you know as soon as the road can be fully opened.” 

The closures could cause delays as drivers seek alternative routes along Emmott Way. 

The maintenance is a part of a £4.174m project to improve the main road and supporting bridges which started in 2022.

The project has encountered delays after maintenance workers discovered more complex issues than they anticipated. 

Cllr Chris Goodwin, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, said: “The Oldham Way work has been the biggest and most complex highways maintenance project the council has worked on in many years.

"Before we started the repair work the council built a new junction and link road off Oldham Way, which will help support our regeneration plans for the borough.

“Then when we started the maintenance, we found that the bridges that support the road required more work than expected.

"We’ve had to carry out a lot of additional work while carrying out the main repairs.

“Unfortunately, this has meant we’ve not been able to fully open Oldham Way and the roads underneath it yet.

"We know it’s frustrating for drivers and residents and we apologise for the delays over the last 18 months, but it is absolutely vital that the works are completed comprehensively.

“Everything is being done to get the roads open as soon as possible and we’ll let people know when this is happening.

"Once everything is finished Oldham Way will be good to support thousands of vehicles every day for many years to come.”

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