Putting a halt to hornblowers

FED-UP residents in Uppermill could soon have some light relief from tooting train whistles first thing in the morning and last thing at night.

Village residents had complained to local councillors about trains blasting their horns late into the night, making relaxing sleep difficult.

Network Rail say they are now investigating the root of the problem.

The cause is what is known as a whistle board, a safety device used for footpath crossings of train lines where visibility is reduced.

One is in place at the crossing known as Moorgate Halt, near Den Lane and Moorgate Street in Uppermill.

The board prompts train drivers to sound their whistle in advance, warning crossers down the line that it is not safe to proceed.

In a letter to the Mayor of Oldham, Cllr Richard Knowles, a spokesperson for Network Rail said a site visit has been undertaken and plans are underway to re-align the footpath crossing.

The spokesperson added that following such action and removal of vegetation at the site, it would be likely that visibility would be improved enough for the whistle board to be removed.

Councillor Graham Sheldon welcomed the news, having received letters from residents sick and tired of the noise nuisance.

He said: “All of a sudden we’re getting this whistle and it’s sounding from 6am until 11pm.

“People have small children that to go to bed early and it’s becoming a real noise nuisance – it echoes across the valley.

“It’s brilliant news that the board could be removed but we don’t want them to spend a load of money moving the crossing when it’s not necessary. There is ample opportunity to see trains coming.”

The rail company spokesperson said they could not yet give a specific timetable for the work but added that they would endeavour to keep residents informed.