Oldham’s Liberal Democrat Leader councillor Howard Sykes MBE has said that Greater Manchester’s speed cameras are “falling behind”.  The Shaw councillor, who sits on Greater Manchester’s Transport Committee, was speaking in response to a report on road safety recently presented to the Committee.

Councillor Sykes said, “Speed cameras are put in place for a very good reason.  Not only do they prevent accidents, but they also save lives.”

In many cases, cameras have been left disconnected, having never been updated with newer, digital cameras.  Now the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) set at long last to replace many speed cameras that are not working.  

Councillor Sykes has been continuously raising the issue of non-functional cameras where speeding is a real problem, yet the camera has been out of action for years.  The one on Milnrow Road, Shaw is just one example of such camera. 

The Committee heard that Greater Manchester saw an increase of 8% in the number of people who have been killed or seriously injured in the last year. 

Councillor Sykes said, “The first priority in tackling these shocking road casualty figures should be to make sure that all the existing speed cameras are fully operational.  People expect our roads to be kept safe.”

Councillor Sykes said, “Greater Manchester bosses now tell me the cameras will be operational by August 2023.  These ongoing delays are just not good enough.  This could mean somebodies life.  The authorities need to show far more urgency on this issue.”   

Oldham councillor Howard Sykes has praised the success of a trial allowing dogs on trams across Greater Manchester.  He was speaking at the meeting of Greater Manchester Transport Committee on Friday 14 October, where he reminded the committee, they rejected just such a proposal from him and the Liberal Democrats back in November 2015.

Councillor Sykes added “This is something I have been campaigning on for years, so I’m pleased to see the trial going so well.  This is a common sense move and I look forward to seeing dogs, and their responsible owners, on trams being made permanent.”

The GM Mayor introduced the three-month pilot allowing up to two well-behaved pet dogs per passenger on trams and a supporting survey is due to close on 31 October. A decision whether this will become a permanent arrangement is due to be made and, in the meantime, dogs will still be permitted to travel on the Metrolink network.

Councillor Sykes said, “This is the last chance for people to provide their views via the live online survey available on the dedicated ‘Dog on Trams’ webpage.  TfGM have received a good response to the survey so far and are keen to provide as many people as possible with the opportunity to share their views.”

TfGM dogs on trams survey

Dogs on trams pilot | Transport for Greater Manchester (tfgm.com)

Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) Labour and Conservative councillors join up to block Lib Dem proposal to allow a trial for dogs on trams | Howard Sykes (mycouncillor.org.uk)   Nov 2015

While not always agreeing with the handful of the things the BBC commissions and comments on, I am 100% certain we would be a lot less informed and entertained if they did not exist.

I am also sure it’s true value would only really be appreciated it if disappeared. And that is before you think about things like ‘The Archer’s’ – the UK longest running soap :-).

The BBC also provide a lifeline of objective reporting for those countries that do not have a free press.

Here is to the next 100 years!

Oldham’s Liberal Democrats have warned that Oldham Council could face “more red tape and wasted cash” after it was announced that councils across the country are to be hit with an additional £75 million audit fee. 

Liberal Democrat Leader and Shaw representative councillor Howard Sykes MBE said, “Bureaucracy is one thing Oldham Council does not need more of.  This audit price hike is particularly unwelcome given the current cost-of-living crisis.  It amounts to more red tape and wasted cash that will do nothing to alleviate the pressures that councils face in funding frontline services.”

“Councils should be focusing on the basics, like finding and funding highly skilled social workers and helping people with the cost-of-living crisis.  Instead, we will see councils across Greater Manchester struggle to plug budget gaps caused by bureaucrats and it will be those frontline services – like social care – that suffer.”

Councillor Sykes’s warning comes after Public Sector Audit Appointments (PSAA) said total fees for audit services may increase by as much as 150% from £50m in 2022-23 to £125m in 2023-24. 

Councillor Sykes said, “Additional audit fees will take money away from frontline services.  We cannot afford for more and more council resources to be tied up in red tape.  The new Chancellor has the opportunity to fix local government finance and give councils the ability to focus on local services at a time when people need help.”

Oldham Liberal Democrats have criticised Greater Manchester bosses for funding “large vanity projects” instead of local walking and cycling infrastructure after plans for a new £5M cycle bridge between Oldham and Ashton-under-Lyne were unveiled earlier this year.   

Oldham’s Liberal Democrat Leader councillor Howard Sykes MBE said, “This is yet another example of Labour leaders in Greater Manchester prioritising their latest pet projects and neglecting the very basics when it comes to walking and cycling investment.  I am sure the bridge will be welcome by some, but most would want the £5M spent elsewhere.”

“£5 million could be better spent bringing cycle provision across Oldham up to standard, making junctions safer and improving neglected pavements and footpaths. Many areas have zero safe cycle provision,” stated councillor Sykes.  “Only recently I have had requests for cycling and walking improvements in Shaw and Crompton reject yet we have £5M for this cycle bridge.”

“Ask any resident how cycling and walking improvements should be funded and they will say it needs to be tackled locally and on smaller projects that will make a real difference to local people. These are the things that residents want Oldham Council and GM bosses to act on.  Instead, we have them funnelling money into projects like this bridge which will be ‘nice and big and shiny’.” 

In their budget recommendations earlier this year, Liberal Democrat Opposition councillors set out a proposal for investment in Oldham’s pavements and footpaths alongside a plan for 20mph speed limits in residential areas to help make walking and cycling safer. The combined cost for the Liberal Democrat backed plans came in at £2.7 million but the ruling Labour group rejected the proposals.

Councillor Sykes said, “Liberal Democrats set out a fully costed plan that would have made a real difference to pedestrians and cyclists at the most local level in our communities, but the Labour group said no.  Now they are prepared to spend twice as much on long-term vanity projects.”

3D Virtual bridge design Tameside link bridge – YouTube

Oldham Council press release 25/07/22 Planning application submitted for proposed new £5m bridge | Oldham Council