Our roads have gone to pot!

POTHOLES in Holland Close

One street serving 22 homes has 160 holes
A POTHOLE-ridden road in Diggle is the worst in the borough, a Saddleworth councillor has claimed.

Ken Hulme, vice-chairman of Saddleworth Parish Council, claims that Devon Drive has an astonishing 160 potholes despite it serving only 22 homes.

Now he is calling on Oldham Council to carry out repairs.

He said: “It really beggars believe that a residential road has been allowed to deteriorate to this state.

“It looks more like a farm track or an unadopted road.

“I think it also serves as perhaps the most extreme example of something that is happening in many estate roads that were built 30 to 40 years ago — they weren’t built to last and they’re worn out.

“I seriously doubt if it would meet the standards of modern road building.”

Councillor Hulme is carrying out his own survey of potholes in the area after residents voiced concerns over the sorry state of residential roads.

He also highlights the current state of Holland Close, also in Diggle, which he argues are deeper and pose a real threat to elderly residents on the street.

However he welcomed news that Oldham Council is set to address some of the holes, including Holland Close.

Councillor Jean Stretton, cabinet member for neighbourhoods, said: “This is a four-year programme of investment aimed at improving roads across the borough.

“The year-one programme is continuing as planned and the year-two programme is currently under review.”

Work has also started on the decaying Lees New Road, also thought to be one of the worst in the borough.

Metre-wide potholes that posed a threat to drivers will be repaired in the coming days and the road will reopen on Monday.