Town centre cordoned off

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service Fire Appliance

Rush hour traffic was forced to u-turn last night as part of Rochdale Town Centre was cordoned off by police.

Witnesses say buses and cars were ordered to turn around at the bottom of Drake Street at 5.20pm (Thursday 19 March), as police and fire crews investigated loose materials “flapping” at the top of a building on Smith Street.

Traffic was brought to a standstill as police officers investigated the scene.

It was later confirmed that there material was facia, which was safely removed by fire officers.

The area was re-opened at 6.30pm.

Lawrence Glendinning, who was struck in traffic at the time said: “There was a large backlog of traffic and everyone was doing a u-turn at the bottom of Drake Street.

“Whatever has happening affected traffic round Yorkshire Street, and round near the Regal Moon”.

A spokesperson from Greater Manchester Police said: “We are called out to assist the fire service in removing the facia which was reported to be flapping.

“The area was opened at 6.30pm”.