Commuter misery

Traffic misery could continue as the work on Chapel Road is expected to last 40 weeks

One-way is the wrong way, claims councillor
BUMPER-TO-BUMPER traffic in Greenfield is causing commuter chaos as drystone wall repair work has closed one of the major routes out of the village.

The rush-hour queues have caused misery for drivers since one-way traffic was introduced along Chapel Road, linking Uppermill and Greenfield.

Villagers are angry that the restriction prevents them from driving towards Uppermill, forcing them to pass Greenfield station and negotiate the awkward and congested junction at Shaw Hall Bank and Oldham Road.

The work is part of a scheme due to last 40 weeks to replace the drystone walls, with the one-way system expected to be in place until August, followed by road closures for eight weeks.

Councillor Richard Knowles said: “Council officials have ignored what I advised them before the work took place, for the one-way system to be altered.

“At the moment there is traffic queued as far back as the post office. This is not a two-week wonder, it’s 40 weeks.”

The borough councillor said that he had discussed the issue with the Unity Partnership and a member of the highways team.

Measures have since been put in place with new roadmarkings widening the lanes around the hairpin corner at Shaw Hall Bank Road, making it easier for lorries and buses to negotiate the turn.

Councillor Knowles welcomed the changes but is still going to persist to get the one-way system direction reversed.

He said: “This work is very much needed, but the situation is not going to get better because of the sheer number of cars.”

An Oldham Council spokesman said officers have visited the site to examine if changing the one-way system would alleviate the problems.

The assessment showed that if the one-way flow was reversed, many of the heavy goods vehicles which use Chapel Road in a southbound direction would be diverted down Shaw Hall Bank Road, where the gradient of the road is very poor.

This could result in safety issues for pedestrians and motorists as many more large vehicles negotiate what is a difficult turn.

Councillor John McCann, Cabinet member for regeneration and environment, said: “The retaining walls work is a major project and unfortunately, due to its size, is going to cause disruption to residents.

“Officers did revisit the site following concerns from residents and improvements will be made to both the carriageway and signs.

“I apologise to residents, but while we carry out this essential work we have attempted to keep disruption to a minimum.

“Council staff will continue to monitor the situation and will be working closely with the contractors to ensure that the work is carried out as quickly as possible.”