Sat-nav snarl-ups strike Saddleworth

FRUSTRATED drivers are becoming stranded on Saddleworth’s narrow lanes because of satellite navigation system mistakes.

Alan Belmore, a Greenfield accountant, is asking the Department for Transport to press sat-nav companies to amend their software when drivers or councils tell them of errors.

In a letter to Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin, he cites “ridiculous” examples in Saddleworth of satellite navigation instructions to drivers. He includes one sat-nav route from Greenfield to the M62 which goes via a left turn off High Street in Uppermill, along Moorgate, Den Lane, under a low bridge straddling the defunct Delph Donkey railway line and to Dobcross.

Mr Belmore said: “Lorries are too high for the bridge and have nowhere to turn round and have to reverse along single track roads.”

Ordnance Survey recommends all commercial vehicle drivers use a sat-nav appropriate for their vehicle. Some are designed specifically for cars and the device doesn’t take account of the vehicle’s size