Following several serious incidents over the past month the call for improved road safety measures on Huddersfield Road has grown. In taking up local residents’ concerns, Saddleworth Parish Councillors Luke Lancaster and Max Woodvine have corresponded with OMBC to request that measures are finally considered, with urgency. 

At present, there is no crossing point for almost a mile in distance so Cllr Luke Lancaster asked that a recognised crossing point be implemented on the stretch of Huddersfield Road which passes through Austerlands.

OMBC Highways have agreed to conduct a pedestrian / conflict survey, which looks at movements of vehicles and pedestrians, from September around the road’s bus stops, to assess the need for a crossing point in the village.

Cllr Lancaster commented:

“This is a busy road and it can feel impossible to cross. For comparison, Oldham Road from Lees to Grotton is served by four crossings; I see no reason why this major route through Austerlands shouldn’t have similar provision. Hopefully the survey will confirm the need for this provision to be made, especially for the safety of our children who get the bus to school.”

In raising the issue of speeding, particularly on the bend into Austerlands and on the Dunham Street / Stamford Road junction in Lees, Cllr Max Woodvine has asked for action to be taken to address this problem through the erection of signage and road markings to encourage motorists to slow down.

Cllr Woodvine said:

“I have lived on both Huddersfield and Oldham Road so I’ve experienced these problems first hand; my car was written off by dangerous and drunken drivers. It is the same old story of stupidity and silly speeds so we need to find a solution for the sake of Saddleworth & Lees.”