Coal Pit Lane to close for 13 weeks

Motorists will have to find another route around east Oldham after gas main contractors decided they will have to close Coal Pit Lane in the autumn.

The lane was closed earlier this year for urgent carriageway repairs, and is being excavated again as part of a 12-month contract to lay a new gas main.

National Grid and council highways engineers hoped to keep the road open with a single lane and temporary traffic lights. But road-safety issues have lead to a decision to close the road to all vehicles for 13 weeks in October due to the high level of pedestrian use along Coal Pit Lane.

The lane is a popular short cut between Failsworth and Ashton Road, and is also access to local farms.

Councillor Mark Alcock, Cabinet member for Environment and Infrastructure, said: “Unfortunately, the initial assumptions of the contractors have not proved to be the case.

“This has led to a rethink on what is required in order to carry out this work to the required high standard.

“While I am aware of the inconvenience that this closure will cause, the safety of pedestrians using Coal Pit Lane — many of whom are school children — means that closure is the only safe option.

“As this work is scheduled to be carried out during the dark evenings of October and November, it is all the more important to have in place a safe scheme for pedestrians, vehicles and contractors alike. Under these circumstances closure is the only option. I can assure citizens that this will be monitored closely by staff from the Unity Partnership to ensure that the work is carried safely and on time.”

Details on all road closures in Oldham can be found at www.oldham.gov.uk/roadworks