Councillors call for clarification and timescales on Diggle 20MPH scheme

Liberal Democrat councillors have called for timescales to be agreed for a 20mph scheme in Diggle. Oldham Council have previously agreed a principle of a 20mph scheme outside Saddleworth School with some funding coming from the new housing development scheme. 

Parish Councillor Michael Powell said: “There have been two accidents recently in the village and this just highlights the need for a 20mph scheme that covers the entire village, including both schools and the nursery.” 

Councillor Garth Harkness said: “I have requested a number of times that a scheme be extended to cover the whole village. I have funded some speed surveys near the band club and have met with an officer on site to discuss various options but we are still awaiting confirmation and commitment.”

Michael added: “ We asked local residents in a survey some time ago and there was plenty of support for 20MPH across the village. We want the council to commit to an extended scheme and outline plans and some time scales for this.”

Liberal Democrats have been lobbying for 20MPH speed limits for some time including a motion in December 2023 where they argued that more  than half of all accident casualties occur on roads with 30mph limits and a pedestrian is seven times more likely to die if they are hit by a vehicle travelling at 30mph than they are at 20mph

They got Oldham Council to establish an all-group working party to seek to implement a Council-wide 20mph speed limit on residential roads as soon as practical subject to consultation and cost analysis.

Garth added “It is frustrating. We want to see progress. We want to know it is on the agenda and will be done.”