End in sight for bridge chaos

A YEAR of disruption . . . Justin Brown at Brownhills Bridge

A BRIDGE which has been the centre of bitter rows and frustration for a year could reopen by June.

Oldham Council’s highway boss made the announcement after a further bombardment of protests from angry travellers and locals, who launched a “bin the lights” campaign on the Internet.

The row started after the bridge at Brownhills, a key junction on the Dobcross-Uppermill border, was severely damaged by a water burst on Good Friday last year.

Since then, temporary traffic lights have caused delays and tailbacks for motorists, buses and lorries as the carriageway across the bridge was reduced to a single lane.

The latest protest saw joiner Justin Brown launch a Facebook site demanding the traffic lights should be shelved.

In a week, more than 190 people joined the debate and Mr Brown lodged further protests with the council.

He said: “I travel the route along Dobcross New Road many times in a day. It’s been absolutely chaotic. Sometimes the lights don’t work — causing even more problems.

“The job has dragged on long enough. The work should have been done ages ago. The protests on Facebook tell the story. ”

Tony Noblet, the borough’s highways boss, said: “The bridge repairs should start in three weeks’ time and are expected to take two months. We are spending £150,000 on the repairs and using a specialist team of contractors who are experts in tackling this kind of job.”

Residents have raised concerns that the repairs could affect the area’s Whit Friday celebrations on June 5, and Saddleworth Beer Walk the following day, but Mr Noblet promised: “We have made ample accommodation for this in our plans.”

Marjorie Stephinson, who lives at the former Saddleworth Station, first demanded an inquiry into the problem last year.

She said: “People feel they have been fobbed off. The bridge junction at Dobcross New Road and Wool Road is a crucial hub for the whole community.”

Suhki Singh, former chairman of Dobcross Community Association and local postmaster, said: “At long last we are seeing some action. Things have been terrible.”