Let’s honour our service heroes, says councillor

A SENIOR councillor is asking for new Oldham roads to be named in honour of those who have died in the service of their country.

John McCann, Oldham Council’s shadow cabinet spokesman for finance, and deputy leader of the Lib-Dems, is a councillor for Saddleworth South.

In a letter to council leader Jim McMahon he says: “We have a long history of young men and women from the borough dedicating themselves to service in the armed forces. Sadly there is an equally long history of Oldham servicemen and women being killed in action.

“I would like to propose Oldham Council names new streets after local men and women killed in military service as a meaningful and lasting way to show the value we place on those who have served and been lost.”

He extended the suggestion to cover serving police and other emergency services staff killed in the line of duty — which has obvious local resonance following the murder of PC Nicola Hughes from Diggle.

“This would, of course, have to be done in consultation with the families of those who have died. But I believe this would revive strong support from the local community, and would be a small but worthwhile gesture.”

Councillor McMahon said: “I’ve only just received this letter but I do, of course, agree in principle with the suggestion of being able to honour local ex-servicemen and women.

“The move John McCann suggests will require a change in protocol, which will need discussion and agreement. I suspect there will be broad support for it.”