Promise to get the town back on track

FACING facts: Chronicle editor David Whaley and Councillor Shoab Akhtar

OLDHAM Council has pledged to do all it can to improve the plight of businesses, motorists and shoppers blighted by the Metrolink works.

In a direct response to last Friday’s front-page plea from struggling shop owners being strangled by the roadworks, Councillor Shoab Akhtar — cabinet member with a new portfolio of Business Skills and the town centre — hit the streets with Chronicle editor David Whaley.

“We totally understand where the frustrations of the business people and the public are coming from — we share most of them,” said Councillor Akhtar.

“I have given traffic managers a series of challenges and I expect answers. There are several areas that could, should and must be improved.”

The walkabout started at the bottom of Union Street, near the Chronicle offices.

Councillor Akhtar voiced massive disappointment that BT is set to dig a trench right across the recently laid and newly-opened Prince Street.

“BT has come along after everyone else has finished. There is nothing we can do about that and maybe it is an issue that needs addressing at national level.”

Traffic coming into Oldham via Prince Street is now immediately confronted by the closure of Union Street and being forced around Rhodes Bank, across Waterloo Street and back to Union Street via a reverse-flow Southgate Street.

“I am not sure we have got the signage right on Oldham Way. We need to be bringing traffic into the town centre via the Sainsbury’s island entrance and King Street island.

“There are also issues of signage when traffic comes up Waterloo Street. I am getting reports of big articulated lorries running on sat-nav going up Rhodes Bank and getting trapped — literally no way through and nowhere to go but to reverse all the way back down to Waterloo Street.

“We need to have big signs on that crossroads telling people where they can go and where is blocked off.”

Councillor Akhtar admitted the closure of Waterloo Street and Union Street would last at least another eight weeks. “We are hoping traffic managers will consider altering the flow of some roads and taking out cones wherever possible.”

Councillor Akhtar’s other main worry is King Street, as this faces closure soon, to keep works on target.

“Closing this while we still have all the problems of Union Street, is very difficult.

“I have asked managers to consider alternatives that will satisfy both delivery drivers and shoppers to Spindles-Town Square and the traffic heading through to Ashton.

“We will be having further meetings over the next few days. None of this is easy to work out, but we have to try every option possible to keep things moving.”

The walkabout ended with a personal promise from Councillor Akhtar.

“I know that those 27 businesses felt really strongly about this issue to put their names to the letter in the Chronicle. I am personally going to visit each one of them to discuss their problems. We are looking at having regular forums in the coming weeks.

“We are determined to help the businesses and traders wherever possible. This is a painful time, but we are desperate to make Oldham town centre a better place for everyone to enjoy in the years to come.”


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