Just a brief update on the above scheme
There is a short length to complete of approximately 20 metres on Linney Lane which it is proposed to finish over the weekend of 9 / 10 March.
At present work is on-going at the junction of Shaw Road / Blackshaw Lane. Work is complete on Shaw Road itself but is still on-going at the junction on Blackshaw Lane.
To accommodate the works it has been necessary initially to switch off the traffic signals and replace them with temporary 4 way signals. It is hoped that work will have progressed sufficiently up Blackshaw Lane by Thursday at the latest to allow the 59 bus service to safely make the turn in / out of the junction, in turn meaning that the temporary signals will become 3 way, thus allowing two way traffic along Shaw Road. These signals are being manually operated between 7.00am and 6.00pm, as are all temporary traffic signals in use along the route during a working day.
The grassed verges on Blackshaw Lane that the electric cable was laid in have been top soiled. The contactor has been instructed to remove any rubble in these areas and top up were required with additional top soil prior to seeding the areas.
There is a short length of open trench at the top of Blackshaw Lane near to its junction with Perth Street. There was a problem with a gas leak that required attention, however, the trench should be backfilled and surfaced shortly.
Work is still required at the junction of Edge Lane Street / Shaw Road. The contractor has been instructed that this must be carried out over a weekend but that until the permanent signals at Shaw Road / Blackshaw Lane have been switched back on work cannot be progressed. The contractor may carry out this work either the weekend of 9 / 10 March or 16 / 17 March.
Trial holes will be excavated on Oldham Road Friday 8 March, probably under stop / go boards rather than temporary signals as the work will be localised and traffic will be easier to manage.
The above trial holes are a prelude to work commencing on the final length of cable laying, from the entrance to the former Big Lamp Public House to the junction with Water Street and down Water Street to the junction with Perth Street. This phase of the work is programmed to commence Monday 11 March and will take between 4-6 weeks depending on site conditions.
The work will be undertaken under temporary signals in sections along the highway and the signals will be manually operated during the working day between 7.00am – 6.00pm. As you can appreciate Oldham Road is extremely busy and disruption is inevitable. Again, the contractor has been instructed that work cannot commence on Oldham Road unless the permanent signals at Shaw Road / Blackshaw Lane have been switched back on.