These are the responses I have had from Oldham Council.
Reason for the delay
“Initially a permit to work was requested for Monday 22nd October, however this permit was refused due to utility work in the area. As a result the works were then permitted to start immediately following the utility works. As such the works are starting on Monday 19th November.”
Reason for the mess up on signage on 22 October
“I have now received a response from the Councils parking enforcement provider, NSL, regarding the signing and coning issues relating to the above. It would appear the error has occurred due to a plan of the affected area not being forwarded with the signing and coning request; the instructions stated Smallbrook Road, which NSL understood to be the full length. Woodend was also treated as the mapping system used to identify the extent of Smallbrook Road showed Woodend as Smallbrook Road. As soon as NSL were made aware of the date change for the re-surfacing work the signs and cones were removed.
Any further instructions for this type of work will be accompanied by a location plan to avoid any confusion and to ensure this problem does not arise in the future.
Apologies for any upset this error has caused to the residents.”
Councillor Howard Sykes is still waiting for details about how the bus services will work and be accessed on the 19 November and will post information when and if he gets it.