UPDATE – River Beal bridge and walkway off Linney Lane leading to George’s Playing Fields, Shaw.
Pleased to report much needed repairs to the River Beal Bridge/ Ramp repair leading from Linney Lane to George’s Play Fields will now be undertaken.
Repair works are now starting on 22 October and will take approximately 2 days. Whilst works are being carried out, the footpath will be closed to the public for the duration until it is safe for reopening.
BEAL LANE SHAW – closed – Manhole works 9pm to 11pm on Wednesday 23 October.
Oldham Council has given notice that no person shall cause any vehicle to proceed in that part of Beal Lane from its junction with Market Street for a distance of 25 metres in a south easterly direction.
The restrictions are required to facilitate manhole works and will be in force between 9pm and 11pm on Wednesday 23rd October 2024 or until the works are completed whichever is the lesser period.
The alternative route for those affected by the restriction is Milnrow Road, Buckstones Road, Hillside Avenue and Grains Road.
NO METROLINK SERVICE ANYWHERE – Sunday 20 October and Sunday 3 November.
Due to Tram System Hardware Testing no trams will operate on any line until 9:00am on both Sundays with services back to normal on most lines by approximately 10:30am.
A Metrolink replacement bus service will not be in operation as the scope of the work incorporates the entire network.
Secretive Oldham council needs a culture change says Lib Dem councillor
A Lib Dem Councillor has hit out at Oldham council for being secretive and needing a change in culture Councillor Garth Harkness has revealed the changes on Oldham Council since being re-elected in 2023 are for the worse.
Councillor Garth Harkness said “I have significant concerns that residents do not get responses to enquiries from council departments. Elected members are told to follow the same channels and get the same lack of response. Members are now having to put in freedom of information requests, which is a shameful indictment on this council’s transparency and accountability”
Councillor Garth Harkness also adds that the situation has got worse recently
“We were told when the new Labour and Shaw and Crompton Independents coalition took over the council we would have more collaborative working. We have seen less. Opposition councillors are banned from certain parts of the building and often don’t get access to information or answers. We find out the Chief Executive is going to Tameside through the press. This is just an example of arrogance of the leadership to exclude elected members”.
Councillor Garth Harkness called for a review on council communications at Oldham council on 11th September 2024 and suggested some remedies for the way of working which included each department having a dedicated member’s email enquiry inbox) and it should be monitored by a senior officer who triages work to the appropriate member of staff. There should be a guaranteed response time for initial findings and timeframes on future actions.
Despite chasing he is yet to receive a response.
Councillor Garth Harkness added “It is ironic that the point about not getting responses has not had a response. There has been swarms of senior officers leave Oldham Council. There is a toxic nature to full council meetings. All have a responsibility to act with respect. What we see as opposition councillors is a lack of transparency and culture in an organisation is down to leadership. Rather than troubleshooting other boroughs we need to address the issues in Oldham”.
If you know someone who is struggling, then let them know help is available this winter.
A winter campaign is underway to help residents maximise their income through the coming months.
It is estimated that £7.9 million is currently unclaimed in Oldham each year, with 3,288 pensioners eligible for the winter fuel allowance who are currently not claiming even though they are entitled to.
The campaign will also be signposting pensioners and others who are struggling, including families on lower incomes, to the support we and our partners offer.
How you can get involved
If a resident has immediate needs and requires support now, they can call our helpline on 0161 770 7007 or visit www.oldham.gov.uk/wecanhelp. From here, they can access information on how to heat their home, how to access help with bills, help from our welfare rights service, help in a crisis and much more.
If you know someone who might not be claiming pension credits they’re entitled to, then please direct them online in the first instance – https://www.gov.uk/pension-credit-calculator
They can also call the council on the above number, and they will arrange for someone to talk them through the process. Even if they don’t get pension credits, they should still get in touch so they can be talked through other support they may be able to receive that they aren’t aware of.
