Pothole repair delay slammed

CRUMBLING . . . Potholes in Westway

Crumbling Westway ‘needs urgent action’

A FORMER parish council chairman is calling for emergency repairs to be carried out on a road he says is “crumbling away”.

Phelyp Bennett, a former Shaw and Crompton Parish Councillor, has hit out at the state of Westway, claiming the potholed road needs urgent attention.

The warning follows the Rev Duncan Rhodes criticising the condition of sections of Huddersfield Road, in Diggle, which he said are the worst in the area following a severe winter.

But Mr Bennett says the Shaw road is much worse and can’t wait for repairs that are scheduled at some point in the financial year.

The road is due to be improved when a new health centre is constructed on the street, but the facility has been delayed.

Oldham Council’s highways department has told Mr Bennett it is aware of the problem but said that only remedial work can be done this financial year, with further repairs carried out when the health centre is eventually built.

He said: “I know there are financial constraints but that road is terrible. It’s an absolute disgrace. It’s awful.

“I just can’t believe I got a reply to say it will be done in the next financial year, which could be any time between now and April. They can’t leave the road in the state it is in now.”

The council doesn’t yet have a date for when the work will be done.

Councillor John McCann, Cabinet member for regeneration and environment, said: “As part of work to build Shaw and Crompton Health Centre, Westway was to be resurfaced.

“However, the construction work has been delayed and this has affected our ability to fully resurface the road.

“Officers are fully aware of the road’s condition and are planning to undertake resurfacing works to such a level as to make the road safe.

“Final surfacing will be put on once the health centre has been built.

“This work will be undertaken in this financial year and residents and businesses will be informed when it is due to start.”


To report potholes to the council call 0161-770 1685 or e-mail pothole.mole@oldham.gov.uk .