New probe launched into blackspot road

More surveys have been ordered on the accident blackspot on Ripponden Road where there have been a series of crashes and a fatality this year.

Ward Councillor Roger Hindle called called for further checks on speed restrictions and the road surface, but was told by David Benning, section manager in Oldham’s Casualty Reduction Partnership, that the area was already being investigated and more surveys had been ordered

Councillor Hindle spoke out after the latest incident, featured in Tuesday’s Evening Chronicle, when a vehicle overturned.

He said: “I have asked for this work to be accelerated.

“I have been pursuing this matter for the past couple of weeks since there were two incidents within 24 hours on July 14 and 15, which followed on from a fatality in May.

“I wrote to John Howard (Unity Partnership managing director), Caroline Ball (Oldham police commander) and Charlie Parker (chief executive of Oldham Council) asking what investigations are going on with regards speed restrictions, speed checking and also if the road surface is being investigated as well to see if that is a possible contributing factor. I have been in e-mail correspondence with our neighbourhood manager Simon Shuttleworth as well as the new police inspector for East Oldham, Kevin Rankin. The problems on this part of Ripponden Road have been going on for a long time.

“Former councillor John Anchor campaigned for improvements in this area for many years. This has now been highlighted again to senior members and partners in East Oldham and I hope that something can be done comparatively soon to improve this dangerous stretch of road.”