Oldham neighbours demand end to HGV battle after four years

A compilation of more than 50 videos captured by residents documents heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) travelling down Ellesmere Street, Wrigley Head and George Street to a nearby depot.

The footage also shows the lorries often become stuck in the narrow residential streets and, in some instances, hit and damage the parked cars of residents, all of whom require a permit to park outside their homes due to a lack of space in the area.

In one case, neighbours Gareth Dickson and Gary Bourne said one car was "completely flattened" by a wagon a few years ago while another neighbour's parked car was hit twice in the space of two weeks - the latter incident "completely wrote his car off" and he was left out of pocket.

Gareth Dickson and Gary Bourne (left and right) are demanding action from the Council (Image: Newsquest, Olivia Bridge)

Another video shows a HGV recently shattered the back window of a parked car as it attempted to manoeuvre out of George Street.

Aside from the risk to cars and pedestrians, Mr Dickson also said the wagons are noisy and "light up" his living room at night.

Meanwhile, both residents, visitors and workers in local businesses are continually asked by HGV drivers to move their cars.

In one incident captured on camera, a truck travelling down Ellesmere Street became stuck at 5am.

Residents claim HGVs getting stuck on the road is a common occurrence and they are asked to move their cars (Image: Gary Bourne/Gareth Dickson)

Mr Bourne said he and all his neighbours were woken up to move their cars so that the lorry could exit the street.

A neighbour in the background of the video can be heard saying "It's stuck - again".

Footage also shows the wagons hold up traffic, drive on the pavement and force other cars either to drive on the wrong side of the road or to reverse out onto a main road.

However, despite neighbours' heavy documentation, they claim they are being "fobbed off" by the council and their complaints have ground to a halt.

@theoldhamtimes What a nightmare 😫 #hgvdriver #truck #oldham #failsworth #carcrash #cantparkthere #traffic ♬ original sound - The Oldham Times

Letters and email correspondence seen by The Oldham Times, which span as far back as 2019, shows a seeming lack of interest from some councillors who the neighbours claim "never respond".

While one councillor who has visited the street agreed that the situation is "appalling" for residents, Mr Bourne and Mr Dickson said others who have visited go on to make promises that they fail to stick to.

Mr Bourne said the councillors are paying "lip service" to neighbours.

Mr Dickson added: "We've heard it all.

"It makes you think what has to happen for this to be taken seriously?

"It's dangerous.

A truck recently smashed the back window of a parked car on George Street (Image: Gareth Dickson)

"I invite them to come and stay at my house for a week. I bet they wouldn't stay the whole week because the wagons wake you up at night. The banging and the lights.

"I just want them to look at the footage."

Mr Bourne continued: "We need someone to understand our frustration - all this video footage has been sent to councillors to no avail.

"Doing nothing isn't working."

Desperate, the neighbours even contacted MP Angela Rayner who contacted the council and reported back that some proposals are being examined that would "restrict HGV access along some routes".

The letter outlined that restrictions would not extend to Ellesmere Street due to a care home requiring access for emergency vehicles but the neighbours said signs stopping HGVs would not block ambulances or fire engines.

Further letters dated August 2022 and February this year by the council also concern a proposal to introduce "traffic management measures" on Wrigley Head and Wickentree Lane.

It's not uncommon for HGVs to drive on pavements or on the wrong side of the road (Image: Gareth Dickson)

This includes a 6ft6 width restriction at Wrigley Head, changes to a traffic island, additional double yellow lines on George Street, amendments to residents' parking and changes to the operation of a traffic signal junction at Oldham Road.

It also proposes turning Crown Street into a one-way street, which would force drivers to use Mitre Street and George Street.

Despite outlining this strict plan, and meeting with the council in July this year, the residents said it has not come to fruition and that they are now being "ignored" by Oldham Council.

Mr Bourne said: "It's been going on for years now and councillors never get back in touch with updates. We have to badger them.

"To be told there is nothing (that can be done on Ellesmere Street) is a disgrace."

The pair said they would welcome the width restriction but outlined how more needs to be done, starting with better signage to redirect HGVs from Ellesmere Street and perhaps a painted roundabout which would allow lorries to turn around.

The problem on Ellesmere Street is exacerbated by poor signage and a bend which hides how narrow the one-way street is (Image: Newsquest, Olivia Bridge)

The pair argue the painted roundabout, which would be positioned after the care home and into a bend of the home's car park, would therefore allow lorries to turn around while also providing easy access to emergency vehicles.

Mr Bourne, who has lived on the street for 30 years, said they do not blame the drivers of the HGVs as most are being directed down the street by satnav.

Drivers also cannot see how narrow the street really is until they have turned down Ellesmere - by which point it is too late.

Mr Bourne added: "We're not trying to be difficult here - a simple five-by-three illuminated sign, saying 'no left turn for wagons', would help."

He said neighbours, driven by frustration over the saga, are tempted to make their one-way street a cul-de-sac on their own.

Mr Dickson added: "They say it's an issue on every street - well get eight signs diverting lorries around them then, to keep them on the main road.

"Right now, the wagons are here 24/7, umpteen times a day.

"It's mad. Mad. Something has got to be done about it.

"The issue is not going to go away."

The trucks also block traffic and other drivers are forced to drive on pavements to move out of the way (Image: Gareth Dickson)

Councillor Chris Goodwin, Cabinet member for neighbourhoods, told The Oldham Times that the local authority is "aware" of the issues residents are enduring on Ellesmere Street and surrounding areas, including Wickentree Lane and Wrigley Head, from HGV movements.

Cllr Goodwin said: "We are working to alleviate those issues.

"Officers have visited the site a number of times and undertaken traffic assessments and surveys together with Transport for Greater Manchester."

These assessments have included "understanding" vehicle movements along the road and, in addition to what the councillor describes as "regular" email exchanges, a meeting was held with residents "as recently as July".

He continued: “Once the current scheme, which is assessing movements along Wickentree Lane and Wrigley Head, has been determined, we will then be able to better understand and assess the impact/improvements that can be made along Ellesmere Street, which also needs to consider emergency vehicle access to the surrounding area and the nearby care home. 

“Assessments by engineers do not support limited access or physical restrictions as this would impact the movement of emergency services."