Urgent wall repairs to take 18 weeks

ESSENTIAL repairs to retaining walls in Oldham Road, Lydgate, will get under way on Monday.

The work, which is set to last 18 weeks, will involve the reconstruction of the existing dry stone wall that supports the adjacent field.

As much of the existing hedgerow as possible will be maintained.

A length of hawthorn hedge and a number of trees must be removed but a new hedge will be planted and ash, oak, rowan and birch trees will be put in place.

During the work, a single lane will be running at all times controlled by temporary traffic lights.

Councillor John McCann, Cabinet member for regeneration and environment, said: “The condition of retaining walls is an issue across Oldham, not only in Lydgate.

“Without these necessary and urgent repairs, they could represent a danger.

“The work on Oldham Road will deliver long-term benefits for all those travelling along it.

“Every effort shall be made to keep disruption to a minimum and we will try to carry out the work as quickly and as practically as possible.

“The work will also prevent future problems which could cause disruption and delays for motorists.”

The reconstruction work on the A663 is part of a wider programme of works involving the boroughs of Oldham, Rochdale, Stockport and Tameside.

Oldham Council has received almost £20 million in government funding to undertake repairs to the borough’s retaining walls.

The authority has in addition committed around £2.2 million to the total project cost.

Over the next two years, a total of 34 schemes identified as “needing urgent assistance” will be tackled.