Closed, then open - now closed again

More work is advertised at Coal Pit Lane, Oldham

Work on a new gas main which will close Coal Pit Lane in Oldham for a year starts today — only a month after the road was resurfaced.

National Grid put up signs at the weekend warning drivers that the road will be closed for 12 months from April 1.

The gas main work follows the controversial closure of the lane by Oldham Council in January for safety reasons because the road surface was crumbling.

Then the authority had a change of heart in February, and the old surface was stripped off and replaced.

Driving instructor Ron Wise of nearby Elm Road, Limeside, said: “This is ridiculous. I use the road on a daily basis to get to the test areas.

“One minute there is no money for the road, then it is resurfaced, now we have another waste of money.”

Another driver said: “This really is April Fool’s Day. Aren’t these departments supposed to talk to each other?”

The road is a popular route between Ashton Road and Failsworth.

Failsworth East Councillor Jim McMahon said: “I know it is quite a big mains pipe, but to close a road for a year is just bizarre.

“It shows the incompetence of the council and National Grid if they don’t talk to each other.

“The council spent £100,000 resurfacing the road — they should have spoken to the utility companies first. This is a complete waste of money.

“The knock-on effect last time was significant.”

A spokesman for National Grid said: “We have to replace over 700 metres of large diameter main which could take 12 months.

“This is essential work we have to do so people continue to have a reliable and safe gas supply for the next 80 years. We apologise for the inconvenience caused.”