Pothole repairs to target main roads

OLDHAM Council is to pay most attention to the borough’s main roads when repairing potholes.

A new approach will improve the main roads into Oldham — but may leave residents on minor roads waiting longer for repairs.

The work will include improvements to signage, road markings and street furniture, including basic maintenance like painting and replacing damaged sections.

Harsh winters and wet summers have taken a toll on Oldham’s 507-mile network. As part of the new initiative utility companies are also required to ensure their work doesn’t cause problems for motorists.

The council says most firms do a good job when reinstating roads - but a minority don’t. Council workers are to sample repairs to ensure they are completed to standard.

Councillor Dave Hibbert, Cabinet member for housing, transport and planning, said: “We simply don’t have the money to keep throwing millions of pounds at potholes.

“Spreading limited resources so thinly that nobody sees the benefit doesn’t help anyone. We are prioritising the main routes because they are heavily used.”