THE surface on key Saddleworth roads will have to be replaced just months after first being laid, causing fresh motoring mayhem.

But the bill for the repairs, which is estimated to cost “fortunes,” will NOT be picked up by the borough ratepayers.

Next week, Oldham Council begins a series of high-level meetings with the contractors to discuss issues surrounding the “failed” road resurfacing.

Jamie Curley, a Saddleworth South borough councillor, raised issues when residents complained roads resurfaced over summer recently begun to show signs of failure.

“Patches of worn surface appeared, and many people complained of their cars being peppered by small stones working loose from the new surface,” he said.

“This appeared some weeks ago and seemed to coincide with the onset of colder weather.

“I have been contacted by many people over the last few weeks complaining about the surface, particularly at junctions near The Farrars and Oaklands Road on Oldham Road as well as Lees and Salem.

“However, after consulting with Oldham council’s highways team, I have been informed they are aware of the road surface failure and have had discussions with the contractor who did the work over the summer.

“It would seem the failure is due to a problem with the compound used to resurface the road and we are not the only borough to have experienced this.

“Kirklees also seeing road surface failures following the same resurfacing treatment.

“Highways have been in discussions with the contractor and the road surface will be repaired at the contractor’s expense as soon as possible.

“However, they caution the resurfacing is weather dependent and it may not take place until spring when the weather is more conducive to laying the new surface.

“In the meantime, the contractor will perform a sweep of the road to remove the loose chippings and clean any gullies or drains which have become blocked with the chippings - again at their expense.”

He added: “I understand that the problem with the surface compound is now understood and the repair will be longer lasting.

“ I’m pleased the Highways department have reacted swiftly to this and the remediation work will not be at Council Tax Payer’s expense.

“Obviously it would be better if the road resurfacing had been successful first time as it should have been,” declared Cllr Curley, who also serves on Saddleworth parish council.

“But I would hand my congratulations to the highways department staff at handling this situation swiftly and ensuring that Council Tax payers are not disadvantaged by this.”

A spokesman for Oldham Council said: “Some of the roads that were surfaced in the summer have shown some signs of early life failure and aggregate loss.

“We informed the contractor who carried out the work, and they sent sweepers to ensure the areas are as clear of as much of the loose chippings as possible.

“We are continuing to have meetings with the contractor and speak to them about how best to stop the failures and then identify any remedial work that will be necessary.

“Officers are meeting their technical team next week to discuss things in more detail. Until this happens it’s hard to say what work will be carried out.

“Once the remedial work has been identified, the works are likely to take place when it gets a bit warmer due to the type of material used.

“Its important to note we have a five year product guarantee on this surface treatment and any remedial works needed will be carried out at the full cost of the contractor and not Oldham Council.

“Until we meet with the contractors we will not know which areas of which roads have been damaged. We'll be monitoring the situation over coming months.”