'Death trap' route needs traffic calming

A furious couple is calling for the introduction of traffic calming measures on a popular route from Rochdale to Shaw before it turns into a death trap.

Norman and Olwyn Bennett, owners of the Puckersley Farm, Castleton Road, Royton, spoke out after motorists came off the road outside their farm for the fourth time in a year.
Mrs Bennett (70) said: “We live right on a bend at the top of Castleton Road, close to the turn on to Thornham Road. Drivers coming up from Rochdale take that corner like they’re on a race track.

“In the most recent incident, the driver managed to get back in and drive away, but the next person who does that might not be so lucky.

“And I wouldn’t fancy the chances of anyone who might have been walking on the pavement. People walk their dogs around here all the time and it’s really lucky that they’ve not been caught up in these accidents.”

The couple have had to fork out £500 for repairs over the years after cars careered through their fence.

And they had a close shave themselves on one occasion when joyriders crashed a car into their garden and set fire to it before running off.

Mr Bennett (71) said: “People’s fast driving around this bend is a hazard. We weren’t at home during the last incident but I hear that a lamp post crashed down into the road. That could have been lethal.

Oldham Councillor Mark Alcock, Cabinet member for the environment and infrastructure, said Oldham council was not aware of any of any requests for safety measures in Castleton Road, but that they will now look into it.

He revealed that the Unity Partnership has been investigating the safety of the bend to the west of Cherry Hall Drive, Thornham Road after anxious requests from residents and councillors.

He added: “A full skid-resistance test will be conducted in the near future and the results of this will determine whether anti-skid surfacing is required. Other safety measures are also being looked at.”