Councillors Give Red Light to Traffic Diversion

Date published: 02/08/2005

Following a recent meeting, councillors Ann Metcalfe, Khalid Mahmood and Alan Taylor have been fighting against the temporary traffic lights placed on the Drake Street/Water Street junction in the town centre, as the diversion is causing severe traffic trails and is upsetting drivers.

The lights, placed there as part of a construction project on John Street, could be causing problems for up to 12 months, as stated by United Utilities. Rochdale Council has complained that the problems caused by the diversion, especially as it is taking place now after an 18 month delay.

Speaking at the recent Council Meeting, Cllr. Mahmood told of his frustration after his Central Ward Colleagues were not invited to contribute to the debate on the subject, and has written to United Utilities expressing his concern.

He said:  "They have promised us that they will only be there till March, but the chaos that they are causing cannot continue until then.  There have been huge tail backs on Drake Street which has inevitably upset the drivers who take that route on a daily basis; surely the Council can come up an alternative way of running the diversion. This situation cannot continue, there have been too many complaints.”

Cllr. Alan Taylor said, "I am surprised that United Utilities have not consulted with the Central Ward Councillors regarding this issue. We appreciate that the work needs to be done and therefore a diversion is needed.  I welcome the fact that the Council have agreed to programme of continuous monitoring and will investigate to see if the phasing can be improved - I encourage anybody with problems to complain to the traffic department of the Council as soon as possible."

He added: "I am hoping that the Council are genuine about their offer to investigate any problems caused by this - I expect see them react by listening to people in Rochdale and put measures in place to minimalise any problems.  What we need to make sure is that United Utilities or any other private company are liasing with Rochdale Borough Council and consulting with the public on any future road closures"