Boatman’s anger over bridge saga

Blue mood . . . John Lund with his narrowboat, Pennine Moonraker

Repairs wrangle continues

FURIOUS boatman John Lund claims his business is being scuppered by planned repair works at an ancient bridge.

The controversy is the latest twist in the saga surrounding Brownhills bridge in Dobcross which was severely damaged a year ago after a water main burst.

Since then, locals and businesses have faced frustrating gridlocks caused by temporary traffic lights at the busy Dobcross New Road junction.

Now Mr Lund, skipper of the narrowboat Pennine Moonraker, is concerned the repair work — scheduled to close the canal next month — could wreck lucrative bookings.

And he has appealed directly to Charlie Parker, Oldham Council’s chief executive, in a bid to resolve the problem.

Mr Lund said: “The wrangle over bridge repairs has gone on for a year between the various groups.

“Now the Unity Partnership hope to start repair work next month. I have expressed my disbelief to British Waterways at the timing and lack of consideration Oldham Council and their contractors have for local businesses. It’s despicable treatment.

“I appreciate the need for emergency closures, but it is a shame the partnerships have overlooked the impact this timing has on my business.

“I am angry and disgusted to have found this information out on the grapevine. No-one from the partnership has spoken to me about it.

“British Waterways has assisted me 10-fold over my business which is struggling after a considerable decline in customers due to the past two wet summer seasons.

“But just when things are looking up, I am faced with really serious problems.

“Oldham Council hold the local Whit Friday band contests in higher esteem than a local business.

“They say the contests can go ahead — but what about my dilemma?”

Now ward councillor Mike Buckley, Oldham’s heritage champion, has joined the fray.

He said: “Mr Lund has done a great job of putting Saddleworth on the tourist map.

“He should be included in any discussions over work starting to repair the bridge before dates are decided. Councillors have been kept in the dark by this announcement.”

A council spokesman said: “We do not yet have official notification for the closure because we are waiting the go-ahead from British Waterways and do not have a confirmed start date.

“Once we have received that we will inform the public, and local businesses such as Pennine Moonraker, of the relevant dates and arrangements.”

A British Waterways spokesman said: “We have been approached and are currently in discussions with Oldham Council regarding the possible temporary closure of the canal.”