For information on Saddleworth roadworks: Saddleworth Roadworks Bulletin January 2012
For information on the closure of Union Street, Oldham to all traffic: Closure to traffic at Union Street Oldham
This special section carries latest information on Diggle’s roads.
New ‘No Parking’ Regulations
After negotiations between Oldham Metropolitan Council, the Diggle Community Association, Diggle School and the proprietors of Diggle Chippy, Oldham Council will soon be painting additional double yellow lines in the village imposing a ‘no waiting at any time’ restriction.
The areas affected include:
- Huddersfield Road near to the junction with Standedge Road;
- Near the Hanging Gate and the Chippy on Huddersfield Road but also stretching into Ward Lane;
- Huddersfield Road and Sam Road close to Diggle school.
In addition, on Sam Road there will be a ‘no parking school restriction’ between stipulated hours. Once implemented this means that it will not be lawful to stop on the yellow zigzag lines between the hours indicated even to drop off or pick up a child.
The consultation period allowing the public to comment on the new regulations finished on 5 December 2011. No comments or objections were submitted and Oldham Council is expected to paint the lines in February, weather permitting.
Snow Clearance
Primary Route
The primary snow-clearing route through Diggle starts at the Navigation. It goes through the village along Huddersfield Road turning right at Sam Road. At the turning circle it returns along Sam Road and turns right up Huddersfield Road to the boundary and returns to the Navigation along Standedge Road.
Secondary Route
The secondary route starts by coming down Ward Lane from Gellfield Lane along Dorset Avenue, Harrop Green and Ridge Lane. There is no gritting on intermediate roads on the secondary route if they form part of the primary route.
Snow Clearing Department
The department responsible for co-ordinating Diggle’s gritting routes is based in Oldham. Their work is carried out thoroughly but its effectiveness depends upon the extent of the prevailing weather and forecast. The weather has to be extreme for the management team to stop their work. Their contact details are:
Telephone: 0161 770 4421
Email: gritting@oldham.gov.uk
Website: www.oldham.gov.uk/transport_streets_1/gritting.htm
Residents’ Information
The area in Diggle causing the most problems to traffic when it snows heavily is Huddersfield Road between Sunfield Lane and Sam Road. This is because car owners often leave their cars parked on both sides of the road, which means that snow clearing vehicles, when equipped with an extra wide snowplough attachment, cannot pass between the cars. This inevitably leads to blocked and ungritted roads, and complaints from residents that Diggle’s roads are untreated and impassable!
Car owners living on the hillside of Sunfield Lane and Lower Knoll Road areas are understandably anxious to get to work in a morning if it has snowed or the weather forecast predicts a heavy fall. Logic determines they have to park somewhere. However, if you do park your vehicle on Huddersfield Road, please park with consideration for other road users;
- Especially the free flow required by snow ploughs during the night and early mornings;
- Bus routes are terminated at the Navigation if they cannot pass through safely between parked or abandoned cars on untreated roads;
- Damage to your vehicle is likely if left in an awkward spot.
Click here to read letter from Saddleworth Police regarding parking in snow conditions. Parking in Diggle Nov 2011
PLEASE NOTE THAT PARKING RESTRICTIONS CONTINUE TO APPLY EVEN WHEN SIGNS AND ROAD MARKINGS ARE COVERED BY SNOW. IN ADDITION, IF YOUR VEHICLE IS CAUSING AN OBSTRUCTION IT COULD BE TOWED AWAY BY THE POLICE .
For more information on how Oldham is prepared for snow clearing, please click here Winter Maintenance