Highway works being crammed in before the end of the financial year has turned March into the ‘month of madness’ for motorists and buses, a councillor says.
Councillor Howard Sykes, the leader of the Liberal Democrat opposition group in Oldham, said that ‘every year it seems to get worse’ as resurfacing and repairs are carried out before April 1. The Labour authority’s leader, Coun Amanda Chadderton told a full council meeting she was aware the roadworks were causing headaches for people, which included her family and friends.
But she stated that it was necessary to get as much done before the close of the financial year or external funding for projects would be wasted.
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Shaw ward member Coun Sykes said: “Next week more than 25 streets have programmed works then there will be emergency ones or late notice ones on top of that. Our roads are in a crumbling state of neglect. And because of this, emergency repairs are often needed and even though these can be disruptive, I think most people in Oldham accept that they are necessary.
“What people are sick and tired of is what is now becoming known as the March, the month of madness on our roads. Every year it seems to get worse and worse. Jobs that could have been prioritised are just all rolled into March and the result is mayhem on the roads.”
He added that utility companies were also carrying out works as ’emergency repairs’ rather than applying for permits for scheduled works.
“The council also does a disproportionate amount of work towards the end of the financial year in a rush to spend up,” Coun Sykes added.
“So, when you add UU, gas, electric, broadband and council you get roadworks everywhere. This is not just an Oldham problem because you get roadworks everywhere when you go outside Oldham as well.
“It impacts on all road users, and bus timetables currently are meaningless.
“The roadworks that impact around Oldham town centre are worth a special mention for the chaos they cause as well to buses and continue especially at peak times. There’s got to be a better way of doing this.”
Coun Chadderton replied that anyone who drives in Oldham ‘can’t fail to see the roadworks at the minute’.
“My family have been on my back about this, my friends text me about this, I’m not blind to the issues around the roadworks. My sister calls it the ‘Amanda traffic’,” she said.
“It’s unfortunate and it is true. You referenced the financial year, we programme works but the reality is nearly every year we get through more highways works than we expect to and then you have the money left.
“If it comes centrally or from the Combined Authority, you either spend it then or you lose it. And it will be the same with the utility works.
“In terms of the town centre traffic is has been unfortunate that it has come then, there has been huge development going on in the town centre and particularly around Spindles.
“I’m not going to lie, that is going to go on for some months. The issues on the Oldham Way past Sainsbury’s are due to last nine months as well.
“Some things can’t be helped, work has to go on on that bridge for safety works.”
“Unfortunately this month has seemed even worse than previous Marches. We do monitor it only a weekly basis and we are changing the diversionary sign on almost a weekly basis to try and alleviate some of the traffic issues.”
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