Roadworks rage

THE “unacceptable” roadworks United Utilities has been told to put right

Council orders United Utilites to take action

UNITED Utilities was ordered to rectify roadworks in Chadderton after they were deemed unacceptable.

It was told to close up the mains replacement on Richmond Avenue and remove bollards which were blocking access on the narrow road.

Bin men were unable to make their collections because of the situation and had to send a special, smaller vehicle.

Oldham Council was forced to put the works “into defect”, a power under the Roads and Streetworks Act which means they were classed as unacceptable.

Highways bosses gave United Utilities until 4pm last Friday to rectify the situation. Failure to comply would have seen the council doing so and charging for the cost.

A road closure should have been applied for and Tony Noblett, Oldham’s assistant director of highways and engineering, said: “The roads are really narrow and they just put barriers down here, there and everywhere.

“You just can’t block access like that.”

Chadderton councillor Dave Hibbert described the roadworks as “chaos” and paid tribute to the refuse service for ensuring the bins were emptied.

He added: “It is absolutely disgraceful that no concern whatsoever was shown for the residents.”

The work was carried out for United Utilities by Balfour Beatty.

A spokesman for United Utilities said: “We apologise for any inconvenience to our customers.”

Most of the work has now been finished.