All the new 20mph zones planned for Oldham

Several new 20mph zones are due to be introduced on roads around Oldham.

The new traffic orders aim to make a series of ‘rat runs’ in Springhead, Failsworth, Diggle, and Chadderton safer, particularly around local schools. 

The zones are concentrated around Cooper Street, Springhead; Alder Road, Failsworth; Huddersfield Road, Diggle; and a new Traffic Regulation Order around St Luke’s Primary School in Chadderton.

The schemes were approved by council officers via a delegated decision at the end of October, decision documents recently revealed. 

The cost of introducing them will amount to £200k, mostly from grant funding provided for the express purpose of making the borough’s roads safer. 

These are all the new zones planned:

Cooper Street, Springhead

A huge new 20mph zone covering 53 roads will be introduced around Cooper Street, running from Kowsley Avenue to Beechfield Close.

Residents there are ‘fed up of racing cars’, according to one local councillor. 

Cooper Street is used as a ‘rat run’ between the A62 and the A669.

It’s also home to two schools and a nursery, meaning it’s busy with both cars and pedestrians, especially during school drop-off and pick-up times. 

The scheme will cost around £48,000 to implement. 

Councillor Alicia Marland said: “This is particularly important for the two schools and the nursery on Cooper Street as many pedestrians are children and parents so a safe walking route and crossing place is vital. 

“Many residents who live in and around the proposed 20mph zone have asked for something to be done to reduce speeding where they live.

"They are fed up of racing cars speeding around their streets.” 

Local residents were consulted and of the 58 responses received 56 were in favour, one resident objected to one being outside the house and one resident had no interest.

Alder Road, Failsworth

The ‘busy’ road in Failsworth connects Lord Lane and Ashton Road East, with lots of vehicular and pedestrian traffic, according to officers.

The new 20mph zone would cover 20 roads from Hibbert Crescent to Rings Close. 

The change would help create a safer route for kids en route to Failsworth School on Brierley Avenue. 

Councillor Pete Davis said he ‘absolutely’ supported the scheme.

“It’s exactly what I asked for, and will help to bring the speed down on this busy road,” he said. 

The total cost of the scheme would come to £24,000. 

Huddersfield Road, Diggle

Huddersfield Road is a ‘key route connecting the village to surrounding areas, providing essential access for residential properties, local businesses and public transport, while also supporting through traffic between Saddleworth and Oldham’.

It is also a speeding hotspot. 

Highways officers recorded that more than 40pc of drivers were bombing down the 30mph road at speeds between 40 and 50mph. 

The new 20mph zone will include 22 roads, from Ambrose Crescent to St Ades View.

Six new speed cushions will also be introduced along Huddersfield Road to target drivers breaking the law. 

Coun Garth Harkness said: “The speed cushions will not be to everyone’s taste but at present is a fair price to pay for reducing the speed of this.”

The total cost of the scheme will be £37,120, with £21,290 covered by Redrow Homes, who are constructing new homes on land to the east of the main road.

The rest will be covered by grants. 

St Luke’s CofE Primary School, Chadderton

Finally, officers have recommended introducing an Experimental Traffic Regulation Order around St Luke’s CofE Primary School in Chadderton.

That’s because of serious congestion and traffic flow issues, ‘poor driving standards’, and parking issues in the area. 

Because of the nearby Radclyffe School, several residential roads become completely rammed during dropoff and pick-up time for the schools, putting large numbers of pedestrians at risk. 

The residential streets surrounding the school are high density terraced streets with little or no off-street parking.

On Queens Road, vehicles park on both sides of the road ‘effectively making it a single lane’, according to officers, causing residents to complain they are unable to exit the area during peak times. 

The new scheme would introduce a ban on unregistered vehicles entering the residential streets on Monday to Friday between 8.15am and 9.15am, and 2.45 to 3.45pm during term-time.

A new one-way system will be introduced on Buckley Street, George Street and a section of Queens Road between Hunt Lane and Buckley Street.

Entry to the residential streets from Hunt Lane will only be possible via Queens Road, with Buckley Street and George Street being no-entry. 

The new scheme will be policed using enforcement cameras.

An “exemption list” of vehicles will be still be able to enter the streets during restricted hours, for instance where carers need access to clients.

The exemptions will also include residents, teachers and staff at the private day nursery, and blue badge holders. 

After six months the order will reviewed to decide on further interventions or changes.

The estimated total cost will amount to £91,658, with an expected yearly maintenance cost of £6,256 should the scheme be extended past a second year.

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