More frustration for Oldham motorists as major road shuts for three nights

A major road in Oldham has been shut for three nights this week. 

The Oldham Way between Manchester Street roundabout and Prince Street will be closed to traffic for resurfacing works from 8pm last night (Wednesday, February 21) for three nights (until 5am) until tomorrow (Friday, 23). 

The works are causing delays for motorists, with diversions put in place via John Street or King Street. 

The council said: “Oldham Way will be closed in both directions for three nights on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 21, 22 and 23 of February for resurfacing work.

“The closures will be in place from 8pm until 5am between the Manchester Road roundabout up to the junction of Prince Street/Oldham Way. 

“Signposted diversions will be in place.”

The closure is part of a more than £4m project to update one of Oldham’s busiest roads. 

Bridges, supporting beams and road surfaces all along the main stretch have been replaced or restored. 

But with the project stretching into its 18th month, a number of motorists have expressed frustration about the “endless” road closures on the busy thoroughfare. 

One member of the Oldham Traffic and Roadworks online community called the long process, which has encountered a number of delays “a disgrace”, with others complaining “It’s going to take years at this rate”.

Yet another joked “How many times has Oldham Way been resurfaced? Or is it re re re re re re surfaced?” 

A spokesperson for the council explained that the renewal project encountered delays after initial maintenance work uncovered urgent structural issues with the bridges supporting the road, meaning works have had to be far more extensive than first thought.

The spokesperson said: “The Oldham Way work has been the biggest and most complex highways maintenance project the council has worked on in many years, and where possible, disruption is being kept to a minimum by work taking place overnight.

“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 as planned.

“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.” 

They promised “everything is being done” to open the roads as soon as possible.

And they added: “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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