Council blasted for quarter million spend on cancelled ‘Big Lamp’ roundabout plans in Shaw

Recent Freedom of Information data obtained by Oldham Liberal Democrats has revealed that Oldham Council spent an eye-watering £245,000 on plans to rebuild/destroy the Big Lamp roundabout in Shaw, only for the proposal to be axed at long last after major objections from the public.  

Oldham Liberal Democrat Leader and Shaw representative councillor Howard Sykes MBE has criticised the spend, which he argues it would have been avoided if only Shaw councillors and residents had been properly consulted and listen to. 

Councillor Sykes first got wind of the proposal more 12 months ago and from that point onwards started asking questions and made it clear it would not be wanted, but as usual the Labour Council supported by the so-called Independents crashed on working up the proposal and spending our cash on it.

Councillor Sykes said, “It was clear from the beginning that nobody wanted a hair-brained scheme for the Big Lamp roundabout.  Think of all the other uses we could have found for a quarter of a million pounds if only the Council had bothered to listen and ask local residents and their elected representatives what the local priorities should be for Shaw.”

In a Freedom of Information response provided to Oldham Liberal Democrats, Oldham Council confirmed that a total of more than £245,000 had already been spent on the design of the new roundabout before the scheme was eventually axed.  The figure includes fees for external consultants as well as staffing costs and traffic surveys.  

Councillor Sykes said, “As usual the Council is jumping in blind, spending first and asking questions later.  This sort of thing does nothing to restore people’s faith in local decision making.”