Motorists set for four weeks of road misery

A problem road over a village’s ‘Bridge of Sighs’ will close for four weeks from Monday.
Motorists will face massive diversions when Dobcross New Road shuts to traffic between the mini-roundabout at Brownhills and Nicker Brow due to the poor road surface.

Vehicles will be diverted via Wool Road, Stanedge Road, Huddersfield Road, and Delph New Road.

The plan came under fire from residents’ associations and businesses who believe the closures will cause chaos for children returning to school next week for the new term.

Suhki Singh, of Dobcross Community Association, said: “I appreciate the work needs to be done and it’s good to see the council being proactive but I think the timing could cause major troubles.”

His concerns were echoed by Royce Franklin, chairman of the Saddleworth Parish Council Traffic-Transport group.

He said: “It is pleasing the local authority is carrying out this work earlier than at one time was planned.

“Nonetheless, the closure is going to cause considerable disruption.”

Oldham Council’s service director Tony Noblet said: “The condition of the road has got worse since the water main burst in April, and several underground holes have been found.

“The only safe course of action the council can take is to close the road to traffic while work takes place.”

The work will be carried out by Greenbooth Construction.

Another Saddleworth village faced traffic problems caused by a road closure on Wednesday when United Utilities closed Millgate in Delph for water mains work.

Villagers complained there was poor signage and advance notice of diversions to drivers.