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

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.