Limited approval for safety zone

THE scene from Delph village looking towards the new layout at the school.

A parish councillor who fought a four-year battle to create a safety zone outside a village school claims the result has been “watered down.”

Parish councillor Ken Hulme, a former governor of Delph Primary School, says he and other residents had hoped a 20mph speed limit would be imposed outside the school on Denshaw Road.

He said: “I’m delighted at long last we have seen some positive action by Oldham Council – but we wanted a 20mph limit on all traffic outside the school.

“Instead we are having an ‘advisory’ limit - not the mandatory clampdown we really wanted. It’s a watered down version and I am disappointed.

“I am also concerned the safety zone does not extend as far as Delph Bridge which is a problem for parents and children going to school from the village centre.

“They have to venture into the road at that point to dodge traffic. It seems odd to spend thousands on a school safety zone and ignore one of the most dangerous spots.

“I would have thought they should have got the basics right.

“I would also have liked a pedestrian crossing - not just for the children attending school but also for the many who cross the busy A6052 Denshaw Road from the Carrcote estate to play on the playground adjacent to the school.”

But OMBC councillor Mike Buckley defended the new scheme, saying: “This is not a black-spot road and, in a survey, 75 per cent of people living in Saddleworth said they only wanted warnings to operate during school times.

“They did not want speed bumps and we feel we have adopted a commonsense approach.”

Councillor Mark Alcock, Cabinet Member for Environment and Infrast-ructure, said: “Work was carried out after close consultation with school staff, residents and local ward councillors.

“It is based on similar schemes found outside many schools in the borough, with clearly-marked waiting restrictions, new advisory 20mph school-time speed limit signs, new vehicle-activated warning signs and widened footpaths on the approach to the school.

“There will also be what is known as an informal crossing point outside the school - where the road is narrowed by building the pavement out on one side so drivers know where children will be crossing.

“A school crossing patrol will continue to operate at this point during the school day and signing on the bends on Denshaw Road uphill from the school is to be improved.

“The council has listened to concerns to come up with a scheme to ensure motorists will be clearly aware they are approaching a school and act accordingly to ensure safety of the children coming in and out.”

Mother of two Victoria Thewlis, landlady of the Bulls Head in the village said: “I think there is a definite benefit already with the new zone.

“Safety has been a concern for parents for a long time.”