Bridge saga draws on local opinion

A SENIOR council member spent more than an hour with officials studying problems at Saddleworth’s most contentious bridge.

Councillor Dave Hibbert has now promised “serious consideration” to any scheme to ease the daily nightmare for travellers using the ancient Delph crossing.

The bridge problems were highlighted by the Chronicle after a parish councillor photographed a stand-off between two vehicles at the bridge linking High Street to King Street.

Councillor Hibbert has now asked officers to take the issue to the District Partnership to discuss solutions.

He said: “If local elected members and residents can identify a way forward that is acceptable to a meaningful majority of people we will give it our serious consideration.

“Part of the charm of village life is features such as Delph Bridge. They weren’t designed with our 21st century lifestyle in mind.”

Councillor Nicola Kirkham, who has been campaigning over snarl-up problems, said: “At last someone from Oldham Council realises something has to be done before there is a serious altercation on the bridge and somebody may get hurt.”