Hole lot of trouble in Royton

CLOSED off: the entrance to Long Clough in Royton has been blocked for two weeks

ANGRY residents claim they are being left in the dark about a huge crater that has appeared under their street.

The hole at the entrance to Long Clough, Royton, is 13ft deep and has made the road inaccessible to motorists for almost two weeks.

Householders haven’t been been able to find out when it will be safe to drive through again. One said: “Nobody is accepting responsibility and until they do we are stuck. It is an inconvenience and it is dangerous.”

He said: “We all feel uneasy on the street now. If there was an emergency and someone was seriously ill, or a fire, no-one would be able to get down the road.

“I’ve rang three times and they just keep saying it is being investigated. I just want to be told more about what is going on and not be left in the dark like this.”

Vehicles have been evacuated from the street, which has five houses.

An Oldham Council spokesman said the hole had been made safe and officers are talking to the Environment Agency about the problem, believed to have been land slip caused by a nearby stream.

An Environment Agency spokesman said: “A team has been out to clear the stream and will maintain activities to remove potential blockages.

“The landowner is required to ensure the culvert is repaired. We are currently trying to locate the owner and inform them.”