road safety – Saddleworth Liberal Democrats

11Feb 2023 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Clean Air Zone latest: “Burnham and Government must finally show some common sense”

Oldham’s Liberal Democrat Opposition Leader and GM transport spokesperson councillor Howard Sykes MBE has again called for “common sense” on Greater Manchester ‘clean air zone’ proposals. Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham is expected to announce the latest on the Clean Air Zone soon following indications from the government that they will allow/force a charging zone to go ahead. Councillor Sykes said, “The Tory Government and the GM Mayor must finally show some common sense. Everyone can see the original proposals were oversized and ridiculous. If anything, we need a very small city centre Clean Air Zone and for the charges to be scrapped. Why on Earth would we want to see more costs heaped onto the people of Oldham during a cost-of-living crisis?” The Liberal Democrat Leader also slammed a…

07Feb 2023 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Budget proposals set out for fair futures in a safe, clean, and green Oldham Borough

Borough news, environment, fairer council, health and social care, road safety

New funding for ’20 is Plenty’ streets New parks and recreational spaces fund More cash to tackle roads, footways, and public footpath More action on enviro crimes (litter, fly-tipping, dog fouling) New children’s social care residential home Oldham’s Liberal Democrat Opposition Group have set out their alternative budget proposals ahead of a crucial Council vote on 1 March, where councillors will agree to spending plans. Prior to that Council meeting the proposals go to scrutiny on Tuesday 7 February. Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader and Shadow Executive Member for Finance and Low Carbon, councillor Chris Gloster said: “The Liberal Democrats’ priority is to make Oldham Borough a safer, cleaner and greener place to be for all of us, but especially for the next generation. “In the future, Oldham must be able…

31Oct 2022 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Speed cameras left idle for years as road safety worsens

Borough news, road safety

Oldham’s Liberal Democrat Leader councillor Howard Sykes MBE has said that Greater Manchester’s speed cameras are “falling behind”. The Shaw councillor, who sits on Greater Manchester’s Transport Committee, was speaking in response to a report on road safety recently presented to the Committee. Councillor Sykes said, “Speed cameras are put in place for a very good reason. Not only do they prevent accidents, but they also save lives.” In many cases, cameras have been left disconnected, having never been updated with newer, digital cameras. Now the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) set at long last to replace many speed cameras that are not working. Councillor Sykes has been continuously raising the issue of non-functional cameras where speeding is a real problem, yet the camera has been out of action for…

04Aug 2022 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Time to clamp down on parking offenders says Sykes

Borough news, road safety

Oldham’s Liberal Democrat Leader and Shaw representative, councillor Howard Sykes MBE has called on Oldham Council to clamp down on persistent parking offenders. Councillor Sykes said: “Pavement parking and inconsiderate, or illegal parking is a real nuisance in our communities, especially in our town centres. I am calling on Oldham Council to get tough on repeat offenders – just as other councils have done. The only way we are going to change things is by showing people that there are consequences for being a nuisance to other people on our roads and pavements.” The Department for Transport defines a persistent offender as someone with three or more Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs). Councillor Sykes is calling for Oldham Council to seize vehicles of persistent offenders until a release fee has been…

18Jul 2022 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Speeding signs promised for Shaw in October after two-year delay

Borough news, road safety

Shaw Liberal Democrat councillor Howard Sykes MBE has been told that Vehicle Activated Speed (VAS) signs on Buckstones Road now won’t be replaced until October at the earliest, despite funding being agreed over two years ago. Councillor Sykes said: “Speeding on Buckstones Road has been a major concern for Shaw residents. These signs have been faulty for many years and the budget to replace them was agreed in the summer of 2020. I’ve been repeatedly assured that Buckstones signs are a top priority for the council. So why have our residents had to wait years with a dangerous road while the council once again struggles to get the basics right?” When in operation, VAS signs have proven to be an effective way to tackle speeding in areas where speed cameras…

30May 2022 by Sam Al-Hamdani

How much public money have you wasted on Clean Air Zone signs Mr Mayor?

Borough news, environment, road safety

Oldham’s Liberal Democrat Leader has criticised wasteful clean air signs after Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham was forced to backtrack on his plans for a £60 per week Clean Air Zone. Shaw Councillor and Leader of Oldham Liberal Democrats, Howard Sykes MBE said, “Everybody can see the Clean Air Zone (CAZ) for what it is, a complete and utter shambles. In recent weeks, we’ve had the spectacle of Mr Burnham going cap-in-hand to the Government asking to be allowed to scrap the charges from his Clean Air Zone. This U turn is welcome but why did he not do this in the first place? This is just months after he announced plans to implement Europe’s largest clean air charging zone. And just weeks after he had to scurry around Greater…

11May 2022 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Liberal Democrat leadership team pledged to be Real Opposition to Labour on Oldham Council

Borough news, environment, fairer council, road safety

At a Group meeting held on 7 May, the Oldham Borough Liberal Democrat Group elected councillor Howard Sykes MBE as their Leader and councillor Chris Gloster as their Deputy Leader. Councillor Howard Sykes said: “I am grateful once more to my colleagues for their support for my work as Group Leader and delighted that Chris will continue to serve as my Deputy. It was great to welcome newly elected councillor Alicia Marland from Saddleworth West and Lees to the team, and to welcome Dave Murphy and Hazel Gloster back for Crompton and Shaw Wards. After Friday’s results, the Liberal Democrats are up one to nine councillors and I know that all of us will continue to make a difference.” “Liberal Democrats will be the only real opposition party holding Labour…

27Apr 2022 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Anger as Shaw residents wait years for working speed signs despite the cash having been found

Borough news, road safety

Shaw councillor, Howard Sykes MBE hit out at council complacency today as he called the wait for replacement Vehicle Activated Speed (VAS) signs on Buckstones Road, Shaw “an absolute disgrace”. Councillor Sykes said, “Speeding on Buckstones Road is a huge concern for Shaw residents. These signs have been faulty many years. More than two years ago cash found to replace them and yet the council are still not getting the basic jobs done, like this. Meanwhile, drivers, horse riders, walkers, church goers and children in Shaw are left with an unnecessarily dangerous road. Lives are at risk or injury every week these sign are delayed.” When in operation, VAS signs have proven to be a cost-effective way to tackle speeding in areas where speed cameras have been refused like Buckstones…

01Apr 2022 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Cutting speeds through community action

Borough news, road safety

Making the roads safer in Oldham is one of the highest priorities for people who live in Oldham and Saddleworth says Liberal Democrat Councillor for Grotton, Springhead and Lees, Mark Kenyon. He has campaigned over the last year to introduce a community speedwatch scheme in the borough and has just got the go-ahead that the scheme will finally be piloted by Greater Manchester Police. The scheme will be run by the Police but operated by community volunteers. The aim is to make motorists who speed through neighbourhoods aware of the impact of their actions on local people, or the danger they pose to other road users and pedestrians. A team of local residents who are willing to volunteer a small amount of time each week are trained and issued with…

21Mar 2022 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Credit where credit’s due: Lib Dem proposals for recycled roads are making their way forward

Borough news, road safety

Shaw and Crompton Liberal Democrat Councillors, Dave Murphy and Hazel Gloster sat astonished as Cllr Amanda Chadderton, Deputy Leader of the Council, waxed lyrical about a trial using tyres when answering a Liberal Democrat question, without ever acknowledging that this had been repeatedly proposed by the Liberal Democrats, and refused each time by the Labour administration. Cllr Murphy said: ”This is unbelievable. Yet again we suggest something to the administration either in our budget amendments or a notice of motion and the administration say it can't be done – yet they are now trialling the use of tyres in road surfaces, which is something the Liberal Democrats have spoken about.“ Recycled car tyres could soon be used to resurface roads across the country after a pioneering trial found that it…

Category: road safety