Road repairs green light
Reporter: Janice Barker
Date published: 13 February 2009
Work on pothole-plagued Coal Pit Lane in Bardsley will start on Monday after complaints from motorists, residents and a local farmer about the indefinite closure.
The road was closed on January 27 for safety reasons after the surface developed large potholes, with no indication from the council about when or if it would re-open.
Motorists who complained were told the council had no money left to repair it this financial year.
That left local farmer Alfred Aspinall marooned part-way down the lane at Brooks Farm, where he runs a hay and straw business, as well as keeping livestock and horses.
Mr Aspinall, who has lived at the former dairy farm since 1952, said: “I have two lorries and we get lorries coming here from all over the place.
“There is a width restriction on the top part of the lane near Ashton Road.
“Lorries come to the farm from the M60 and through Cutler Hill. At the moment there are plastic bollards blocking Coal Pit Lane, which people keep moving to the side.”
He feared that the council’s plans to replace them with concrete bollards would cut the farm off completely.
Mr Aspinall contacted Failsworth East Councillor Jim McMahon, Oldham’s Labour leader, about his plight. Now they have been told work will start on Monday.
Councillor McMahon said: “After much pressure, the council has backed down and found the money from somewhere.
“But these road repairs are not being prioritised properly.”
Mr Aspinall is being advised to use White Bank Road, through the Limeside estate, while the work is carried out.
Councillor McMahon is considering complaining to the Local Government Ombudsman because he says the closure was ill-considered.
Oldham Council’s director of highways and infrastructure, Tony Noblet, said: “While we appreciate the closure of Coal Pit Lane may be causing some inconvenience to motorists and business owners, heavy goods vehicles can still access Brooks Farm via White Bank Road, which is located half-way down the diversion route.
“Following a short delay starting repair work on Coal Pit Lane, it will now begin on Monday and is scheduled to last between four and six weeks.”
