New move over bridge of signs

THE offending road sign in Greenfield which will be removed

OLDHAM Council is doing a U-turn over a road sign which has upset people in Saddleworth.

Greenfield residents took the hump because they believed Oldham Council jumped the gun over a new road sign in the village.

The sign at the top of Greenbridge Lane declares it to be no through road.

Greenbridge Lane leads to Ladhill Bridge which Oldham Council wants to close to traffic, but which residents are campaigning to save in its present form.

The consultation period has ended, but the issue will be decided by the road-traffic panel on Thursday, November 6.

Tony Noblet, service director for highways, said the sign was put up to help to stop lorries from using the unsuitable route over the bridge.

But now, because of complaints by residents, it will be removed.

Mike Rooke, secretary of Greenfield and Grasscroft Residents’ Association, was involved in organising a petition against the bridge closure.

His members say that although the bridge would still be open to pedestrian traffic, it would effectively cut the village in two.

Mr Rooke said: “Residents are naturally suspicious that the council seems to have been jumping the gun.

“This has fanned the flames of the situation and more than 700 people signed our petition.”