Councillor demands missing Royal Mail Post Box is replaced

Response re missing post box.

Good it will be replaced the key question is when which I am still chasing them hard on.

Dear Cllr Sykes

Royal Mail postbox. Milnrow Road, Shaw. Oldham

Thank you for your letter dated 27 January, sent to Mike Newnham.

I am sorry to team of the inconvenience and distress your constituents are experiencing as a result of the removal of the Post box from Milnrow Road.

In terms of the removal of the postbox. I am advised by the local Collections and Planning Manager that it was removed as a direct consequence of an attempt to steal it. During a planned visit to empty the postbox, the Collections Officer noticed the base had been dug out. As a direct consequence, the Collections Officer took the decision to remove the postbox and place it in storage.

As such, I must stress that the removal was not planned and we are currently in the early planning stages of installing a suitable replacement. Taking into account what has happened. As you might imagine with an installation of this type, there are several stages we need to go through before the box can be set up. However, we will do all we can to ensure the process is completed as quickly as possible.

Once again thank you for taking the time to write to us.

Steve Buckley – Chairman & Chief Executive Office

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Local Lib Dem Shaw Councillor Howard Sykes MBE has written to Royal Mail on behalf of many of his constituents who have contacted him regarding a missing mail box on Milnrow Road Shaw (at the entrance to Dunwood Park Courts).

“Over the years, I and my fellow Shaw councillors have campaigned to keep this Post Box as it has been threatened with removal before,” stated Councillor Sykes.

“On each earlier occasion I am pleased to report that Royal Mail was convinced of our arguments and retained the mail box. I am therefore at a loss as to why this has been removed without any prior notice or notification.”

Councillor Sykes and his Lib Dem colleagues have unanimously agreed that this particular Post Box is much needed, especially by the elderly population that lives in that locality.

“Whilst I understand that it may not be used as much as other Post Boxes, this is the closest mail box for a considerable distance in the locality needed without suitable public transport options which many residents of this area of my Ward rely on to get around,” he added.

Councillor Sykes understands that some of his constituents have been in contact with Royal Mail regarding this matter and he has been told they have been given various responses, none of which help to resolve the situation.

“I would welcome a dialog and some information about this matter,” said Councillor Sykes.

“In the past I have supported Royal Mail proposals to small re-locations so that the Post Box is still available to local residents and also ‘works’ for Royal Mail.”

“Hopefully you will be in a position to replace the Post Box as soon as possible to alleviate the inconvenience and distress it is causing for my constituents.”

Former Cricketers Pub, Milnrow Road, Shaw

Reply to the letter we sent below has now been received:

9 February 2016

Re: Cricketers Arms Milnrow Road Shaw Oldham, Lancashire

Thank you for your enquiry in relation to the above property.

I can advise that we are still marketing the Cricketers Arms and hope to agree a sale at some point in the near future.

Should you have any further queries, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Yours sincerely Enterprise Inns plc

David Lea Asset Manager

Copy letter your councillors have had sent about this matter.

27 January 2016

Unique Pub Properties LTD, 3 Monkspath Hall Road, Solihull, B90 4SJ.

Dear Sir or Madam,

Re: Cricketers Arms; Milnrow Rd, Shaw, Oldham, Lancashire OL2 8AP

The above named Public House has been stood vacant and boarded up for some time.

Local residents and Elected Members are now raising concerns and making enquires in relation to future plans for the site.

Therefore I would very much appreciate it if you could advise me of your future plans for this building.

Road Works W/C 15 February 16

For details click on the link: Bulletin_15 February

Weight Limit Chamber Road and or Church Road

I was asked to find out about this by a number of local residents on Church and Chamber Road – below is the response from the Highways Department.

Can I be clear it does not imply I support (or oppose) this proposal, but as with any residents request I will always do my best to get an answer to the questions they raise.

Dear Cllr Sykes

I refer to your e-mail requesting consideration be given to the introduction of a weight restriction along Chamber Road and or Church Road, Shaw.

I have interrogated a recent traffic survey undertaken along Church Road which has revealed a total of 123 HGV type vehicles used Church Road over a 7 day period (an average of 17 per day). What is not understood from the survey is how many of these vehicles were using the route as a short cut to and from Rochdale Road and how many were gaining legitimate access to properties. I would suggest the number recorded is not excessive when considering the number of residential properties in the area which require deliveries from HGV’s.

Environmental weight restrictions have to have an exemption clause for access so that properties in the restricted area can be serviced; because of this exemption, enforcement can be difficult as the Police have to follow vehicles through the restricted area to observe that they have driven straight through without stopping at a property; in some instances they then have to take the vehicle to a weigh bridge to verify its weight. In view of the enforcement difficulties the Police would need to support the introduction of a scheme for it to be progressed.

Currently, the introduction of a weight restriction also requires the provision of illuminated signs, which are costly. Each side road approach to the restricted area would have to be signed as well as the junction of Church Road and Chamber Road. An initial look at the area suggests a minimum of 7 signs would be required for an order introduced along the full length of Church Road and Chamber Road and a minimum of 3 signs would be required for a restriction along Church Road only. All signs would require an electrical connection.

Indicative costs for the provision and accrual of the signs and processing the traffic order is £30,000 and £14,000 respectively. Unfortunately, the traffic order budget is limited and cannot fund expensive schemes of this nature; if a scheme was to be progressed a funding bid would have to be put forward for the scheme to be considered as part of the LTP allocation or the District Executive could consider funding the scheme. Alternatively, the matter could be reconsidered again next year, when the Department for Transport issue the new Traffic Sign Regulations and General Directions. This document details the illumination requirements for signs and it is understood the new regulations are relaxing the illumination requirements for some signs. If the weight restriction signing falls within this category a scheme along Church Road / Chamber Road would be less costly.

The effect on displaced traffic movements should also be taken into consideration should a weight restriction be introduced along Church Road / Chamber Road. If vehicles use this route to access properties within the Netherhouse Estate or the Moor Street / Princess Road area, they will have to use an alternative access which could increase HGV activity on other streets. If a weight restriction is introduced along Church Road only, then I would suggest the drivers accustomed to using the route as access to and from Rochdale Road would almost certainly use the Netherhouse Estate as an alternative route.

I hope the above is sufficient for you to consider the matter further, but please contact me should you require any additional information.

Regards

Sarah Robinson

Traffic Engineer, Traffic and Network Management | Unity Partnership

Henshaw House, Cheapside, Oldham OL1 1NY

T 0161 770 4377 | F 0161 770 3411

E sarah.robinson@unitypartnership.com | W www.unitypartnership.com

Rochdale Road/Chamber Road/Fraser Street – 4 way signals Sunday 14 Feb

BT are carrying out urgent repairs to manholes at the junction of Rochdale Road / Chamber Road / Fraser Street on Sunday 14 February which will be carried out under 4 way temporary signals.

Emergency Works – Rochdale Road / Rushcroft Road, High Crompton

National Grid Gas have found numerous escapes at the above location and have also discovered gas in nearby properties. Excavations have shown high readings and it will be necessary to set up three way lights to pin point the escape and hopefully rectify the problem on Friday.