Sabotage fears as motorists see red

Disgruntled motorists may have added to frustrating traffic delays by vandalising temporary lights at an historical Saddleworth bridge.

Now Oldham council are taking urgent steps to protect the controversial set of lights at Brownhills junction Dobcross to ensure a smooth traffic flow.

The lights were first erected after a water main burst on Good Friday leaving more than 2,000 homes without supplies.

The bridge, dubbed “The Bridge of Sighs” is believed to be part of an original wool pack trail and carries power and other essential services to Uppermill.

Since its partial closure, roads have been gridlocked with traffic caught up by the temporary lighting arrangements.

Now the council has hinted some of the problems could be caused by frustrated motorists vandalising the lights themselves.

In some cases sets of lights have been disabled — causing even more confusion at the black spot.

The council, with the help of a telecommunications company, has fitted a microwave sensor system which is hoped will dramatically reduce waiting time at the junction and speed up traffic flow at quiet periods.

Councillor Alan Roughley, who has been campaigning on the issue, urged motorists to obey the law.

He said: “Turning off or ignoring traffic lights cannot be acceptable. Any vandalism is clearly a police matter if only because of the danger of a serious accident.

“The new system should significantly reduce waiting times.”

He added: “Saddleworth motorists, including myself, get very fed up with traffic lights popping up with alarming regularity across the villages.”

Since the water main burst, traffic at Brownhills has been diverted off the masonry arch section of the bridge for safety reasons. 

Assessed

The bridge was assessed as being in need of strengthening some years ago but, after regular monitoring and the potential high cost of the service diversions, led to strengthening work being deferred.

The burst has changed priorities and highway engineers are studying new reports and various options to carry out work on the bridge.

The council is hopeful that once a strengthening solution and a budget has been agreed, work would start in March next year.