Anger over traffic delays and ‘never-ending’ digging on busy Lancashire road
Businesses and residents in Whitworth have blasted traffic delays along a main Rossendale to Rochdale road, blaming ‘badly managed’ temporary traffic lights put up by workers laying underground electric cables.
And some have also hit out at seemingly ‘endless’ phases of road works and digging for different utility projects.
A council highways boss says contractors have been given penalties for some issues. But traffic light controls have also been tampered with by the public, adding to the problems.
A series of temporary traffic lights and traffic lane restrictions have been placed along the A671 in Whitworth, Market Street, by crews working on underground electricity cables. But critics claim the temporary lights should be physically manned or monitored on CCTV by workers to respond to changing traffic flows, rather than using a ‘smart control’ system.
Alan Neal, a Rossendale councillor, said: “Since last week, the only efficient way in or out of Whitworth is by helicopter, thanks the total havoc and mayhem of three sets of temporary traffic lights within less than one mile from Healey Corner into Whitworth, up to Bar Terrace and Albert Mill.
“The contractors are failing to ensure their temporary traffic lights are manned from 6am until 8pm, five days a week. Furthermore, Whitworth has suffered various traffic delays, one and off, over the past five years along Market Street, the main road to Rochdale and Rossendale.”
Matt Townsend, director of highways and transport at Lancashire County Council, said: “We recognise the disruption these works are causing and have visited the site several times to address concerns. As a result, fixed penalty notices and defect notices have been issued, and the contractor has been instructed to ensure the temporary traffic signals are manually operated remotely via CCTV, so traffic can be managed as effectively as possible.
“However, there have been instances where the signals have been interfered with by a member or members of the public. This creates serious safety concerns and prevents the CCTV operator from being able to see and respond to traffic build‑up. We strongly request that people do not tamper with the signals under any circumstances, for the safety of all road users.
“The works continue to be closely monitored, and further action will be taken if required.”
SP Electricity North West, formerly Electricity North West, was also contacted for comment. It is responsible for maintaining the power network including underground cables and working with contractors.
‘NEVER-ENDING’
Speaking in Whitworth, resident Jamie Butterworth said: “The digging work is just never-ending. It’s a nightmare. There’s one set of traffic lights then another and then another. And the timings are not the best. It also seems like when one piece of work is done, another set of work starts four weeks later.
“I understand the work needs to be done. But there needs to be better management. And it seems like the utilities firms don’t speak to each other. It’s not co-ordinated. There was another stretch in Whitworth dug-up four times.
“With these latest roadworks, I’ve been setting off early to get to work in Rochdale. But I’ve nearly been late to work on various days with all these delays. It’s adding a lot of time onto journeys. Usually it takes me about 15 minutes to get to Rochdale but now it’s 40 minutes at least. Coming home, I’ve had problems. It’s taken me one or two hours some days. It’s been really bad. “
Syed Shah runs the Whitworth post office. He said: “These road works are a pain in the a****. I drive here from Bury and there are 10 sets of temporary traffic lights coming into Whitworth from Bury. Normally, driving from Bury to Whitworth takes 15 or 20 minutes. But now, just getting from Healey Corner to the post office can take 40 minutes.
“It affects business. People who have been queuing in traffic are frustrated and drive past the post office, they don’t want to stop. Or if they’ve parked on Market Street for the shops, it can then be difficult for them to get back out into the main flow of traffic because of vehicles queuing all the way along.”
William Hockenhull and Allyce Gloster work at Noble barbers.
William said: “Cars are queuing up all along the road and there are delays. It affects our business because some customers have been late for their appointments. And it probably puts-off other people from visiting us. So if people don’t show up, we lose money.”
Allyce, who owns the business, said: “We have staff here who live in different places, like Littleborough, so their journey to work at the moment is a pain. There seems to be road works everywhere.”