Snow chaos
Reporter: DAWN MARSDEN
Date published: 23 December 2009
Oldham grinds to a halt
HEAVY snowfall threw Oldham town centre into lunchtime chaos yesterday as temperatures dropped to their coldest since 1992.
Traffic at Mumps roundabout, Yorkshire Street and Union Street came to a standstill leaving gritters with no chance of clearing the roads.
The majority of bus services ground to a halt leaving passengers stranded and forced to walk the rest of their journey. The station at Cheapside was shut for a short time to allow gritters to make it safe. Many workers cut short their day to head home – many on foot — and Chronicle photographer Darren Robinson snapped one frail elderly lady with a walking stick who, unable to get home by bus, was banging on car windows begging for a lift at Mumps. Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive suspended most of its routes at 1pm with the remaining services sticking to main roads.
Trains continued to run but passengers were advised to call and check before travelling.
A double-deck bus skidded to a halt in Huddersfield Road at Austerlands blocking both lanes and adding to the chaos in scenes mirrored around the borough.
Motorists going through Delph up the A62 towards Yorkshire struggled through heavy snow only to find perfectly clear roads over the county boundary.
Roads out of Oldham were littered with abandoned vehicles as motorists decided to cut their losses and continue their journey by foot as conditions worsened close to lunchtime.
Greater Manchester Police are advising motorists only to travel if their journey is absolutely necessary and residents are also asked to refrain from calling 999 unless there is a threat to life or a crime in progress.
Supt Karan Lee, of GMP’s operation communications branch, said: “I would like to reassure the public that we will attend all emergencies, however, our response vehicles could also be hindered by the adverse weather conditions and it may take us a little longer to get to you.
“I would also ask that you seriously consider the need to contact the emergency services before dialling 999, ensuring that we can focus on the people who need us most.”
Oldham Council closed all its offices and public services at 4pm to allow staff to get home safely.
Chief executive Charlie Parker said: “This is an unusual step but one that we had to take to ensure the safety of our staff while minimising the impact on the vital services that we provide to the public.”
For information about council services, visit www.oldham.gov.uk. For travel information, call 0871-200 2233 or visit www.gmpte.com.
Chronicle weatherman Damian Rodgers, who was caught out by yesterday’s snowfall, said: “There should be a few snow showers today.
“There may be a belt of snow moving across early tomorrow morning but then it should be dry for the rest of the day and Christmas Day.
“It will get warmer every day and a slow-melt will occur.”
Manchester Airport was fully operational today after anticipated heavy snowfall failed to materialise overnight.
A spokesman said: "The forecast was poor but we escaped the bad weather. There remains the possibility of delays due to other airports not being able to take aircraft."
