In light of the tragic fatality in Park Bridge on Waggon Road on Sunday 10th August, and another serious collision on Mill Brow on Thursday 14th August, the Alt Lane Residents Group, supported by the Park Bridge Residents’ Action Group and Fund, call for the immediate temporary closure of Waggon Road and a full safety review of the sole accessible highway running through the village of Park Bridge. This review must lead to a permanent solution that ensures the safety of residents and visitors.
Since the closure of Alt Hill Lane, the road that runs adjacent to the village, access in and out has been restricted to a single-lane route via Waggon Road, Mill Brow, Dean Terrace and Alt Lane.
For years, residents and visitors have repeatedly raised concerns about the safety of this route, warning local authorities about the dangers posed by the increased volume of traffic, poor accessibility, and overgrown trees and shrubs encroaching on the carriageway. These warnings have consistently fallen on deaf ears, with no meaningful action taken to address the risks.
Park Bridge is an area of unique biodiversity and heritage, enjoyed by walkers, cyclists, and horse riders. Increasingly, these groups are avoiding the area due to the hazardous condition of the road and the reckless driving of those who use it as a cut-through.
Although the route crosses the Tameside and Oldham boundary, both authorities share responsibility and must work together to deliver a permanent and effective solution to this long-neglected safety issue.
We demand urgent action. A temporary road closure may cause short-term inconvenience for some residents and visitors, but the safety of all road users must come first.
The risk to life is too great to ignore.