Council 'checking out advantages' of 20mph limits across Saddleworth

Oldham Council say it is currently "checking out the advantages" of introducing 20mph limits in the centre of Saddleworth villages, amid calls from a Liberal Democrat councillor. 

Saddleworth West and Lees councillor Sam Al-Hamdani has urged the council to "plan properly" for 20mph limits and "introduce fair and transparent guidelines for when they will be considered". 

A 20mph limit for motorists was introduced in Uppermill in the autumn, in a bid to curb speeding drivers and make streets safer. 

Cllr Al-Hamdani (pictured) said: "The system needs to be simple, clear and fair. Other councils have rules in place such as considering an application after a set number of complaints from residents, or when there are particular considerations in the road layout, such as the road narrowing to a single lane, or having no pavement for pedestrian access.

"A simple set of guidelines would make it clear to residents exactly what they need to do to get support, and exactly what problems the Council is looking to tackle." 

Cllr Al-Hamdani said that the council also has "no clear plan" for what happens when the current orders, which last 18 months, run out and has called for the authority to introduce an assessment process to see if the speed limits should be implemented permanently. 

He added: “We’re already on the clock – the speed limits in Uppermill were introduced in September. We need to know what the impact of these new controls are, and whether that changes over the 18 months. The Council should consult with the residents who are most affected as well.

“Any lack of clarity leads to muddled decision making. People should know how decisions are being taken to spend their money, so that they know it is being done fairly, and so that they get to have their say.”

In response, the council said it will carry out surveys in Uppermill next year to assess the success of the speed signs installed there, which will "inform any decision" to roll them out across Oldham. 

Councillor Barbara Brownridge, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods and Culture, said: “The safety of all road users and pedestrians is important to the council which is why we are constantly looking at our highways. 

“We are currently checking out the advantages of introducing 20mph limits in the centres of the Saddleworth villages. At this stage this doesn’t include physical measures, such as speed bumps.

“A 20mph limit was introduced recently in Uppermill to assist with social distancing. Due to the narrow walkways there is a real possibility of people stepping into the road. Slower speeds mean less serious injuries in the event of a collision. 

“We’ll carry out surveys in Uppermill next year to see if the speed signs we installed have been successful. This will then inform any decision to roll out the lower speed limits across the borough.

“As ever we call on drivers to respect other road users and pedestrians when driving in Oldham.”