New road markings are 'absolutely ludicrous', says Middleton resident

New road markings at the junction of Greengate and Grimshaw Lane in Middleton are causing “traffic chaos” say local residents, with one resident describing the new markings as “absolutely ludicrous”.

It is understood that the lanes have now been changed to one lane of traffic going straight ahead and a dedicated right hand turn lane.

David Bird, a resident in the local area, said: “It is absolutely ludicrous to change these lanes. There wasn’t enough room to start with and now there certainly isn’t enough room.”

After the road markings were changed, residents took to social media to vent their frustrations with David stating “people were complaining about the amount of traffic and tailbacks. Traffic should be calming now with the school holidays but it isn’t, it is getting worse with these new road markings.”

The road markings have been changed in the direction from Manchester heading towards Middleton, opposite JW Lees brewery on Grimshaw Lane.

David added: “The roads in Middleton are ludicrous and this just makes it worse. No one was told about these changes. All we know is that they turned up on Sunday and changed the markings and then people noticed on Monday morning when the traffic was held up.”

The change of road markings was a decision made by Oldham Council and was nothing to do with Rochdale Council.

Councillor Dave Hibbert, Oldham Council’s Cabinet Member for Housing, Planning and Transport, said: “Oldham Council is carrying out a programme of works to improve road safety on Greengate.

“This involves building and improving pedestrian refuges and updating the road markings. The measures are intended to reduce the speed of vehicles and make it safer for pedestrians and cyclists.

“At the junction in question we’ve increased the size of the island to make it safer when people are crossing.

“Once the work is complete adjustments to the vehicle detection system and signal timings at the traffic lights will be made and this will improve the traffic flow.”