Roadworks put drivers on a road to nowhere

More signs are being installed to help ease the problems caused by the Denshaw Road closure

COMMUTERS are being warned to steer clear of Delph after traffic confusion caused misery in the village centre.

Reports of bumper-to-bumper queues in Grains Road and disorientated drivers followed the closure of Denshaw Road by United Utilities.

But police say motorists are ignoring the road closure signs and coming unstuck by following misleading Satnav directions in a bid to find an alternative route.

The water company is replacing the sewer and flood drainage systems outside Delph Primary School, and plans to close the section of road on three occasions for a total of more than 10 weeks. The work is due to end in September.

One resident said: “There are not enough signs at Denshaw stating clearly that the road is closed and is for access only.

“We must have had around 100 vehicles if not more come up Ainley Wood at speed as they were trying to get to the other side of the village, but to no avail.”

Another villager described the situation as chaos, while others complained of the 20-minute queues on the congested Grains Road, as people use it as a diversion route.

PC Mark Clough, of the Saddleworth and Lees Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “Drivers are ignoring the signs.

“If you see a road that has got no entry and no through road signs do not go down it.

“Everyone is trying to get done what they have to as quickly as possible and we will iron out as many teething problems.

“The alternative would be to dig up the whole of Delph High Street for 12 to 18 months. In comparison, this will effect businesses less and all involved are trying to be accommodating.”

No waiting cones are to be placed outside homes in Grains Road to prevent cars parking and new no entry and no through road signs will also be in place on the worst-hit roads.

Tess Smith, United Utilities project manager, said: “We’re adopting a very flexible approach with the council highways team, and we will review any traffic issues and do everything possible to tackle them.

“It would be very helpful if motorists would observe the signs.

“We do understand that there is never an ideal time to carry out work on such a key route as Denshaw Road, but it is absolutely essential to help save local homes from the awful problem of sewer flooding.”