Rush-hour chaos as lights jam on red

COMMUTERS faced traffic chaos in Royton town centre as temporary traffic lights jammed on red during the morning rush hour yesterday.

Motorists faced lengthy delays as the temporary lights, put in place while work is undertaken by United Utilities, broke at around 6am.

Councillor Mark Alcock, cabinet member for environment and infrastructure, said that staff from Balfour Beatty directed traffic from 7.30am.

He said Oldham Council would look into why the contractors who provided the lights did not arrive to fix them until 11am.

Driver Anthony Mackin, from Thornham said: “This was the first morning where my journey time was seriously impacted by the road works.

“The traffic lights were not working at the railway pub junction and workmen were having to direct traffic.

The situation was not helped by a van parked on double yellow lines in the centre of Royton, while the driver and passenger ate their breakfast in the cab. Traffic was struggling to get past, but they were oblivious.”

The temporary lights at the Middleton Road junction were due to be taken down today, but the headache is not over for Royton motorists, with more work ahead.

Drivers travelling towards Rochdale will soon have to follow a diversion along Middleton Road and Sandy Lane as the section of road between Dogford Road and the beginning of Oldham Road will become one way in the direction of Oldham.

But Councillor Alcock reassured the public that work on this stretch of road, which is due to last four weeks, will not begin until Shaw Road, between the Big Lamp roundabout and Our Lady’s High School, is operating in both directions with temporary traffic lights.

Travellers with any queries are asked to ring Balfour Beatty on: 0845-5000 123.