Royton’s Labour Councillors are calling for an urgent meeting with GMP’s Borough Commander to press for action to reduce speeding and enforce traffic laws on Royton’s roads.

It follows yet another incident on Rochdale Rd on Friday night involving a speeding vehicle causing yet more damage to cars and walls. Three cars were damaged and a wall knocked down. The driver responsible sped off after the incident.  

Andy Burnham expressed support for a review of speed cameras at the last Meet the Mayor event in Oldham. Councillor Hannah Roberts followed this up with a letter to him asking how this will be taken forward as well as clarity on how GMP will support Community Speed Watch Groups in a fair way across GM. 

Replies from both GMP and the Deputy Mayor for Policing, Bev Hughes, restated the current criteria for installing a speed camera – councillors already knew Rochdale Road is ineligible BUT they did learn that the criteria are set by the Department for Transport. A review of speed cameras will follow work underway by the Department for Transport following the recent inspection of GMP. 

Councillors received the more encouraging news that GMP is adopting a consistent policy towards supporting Community Speed Watch Groups across GM and this is included in the new Police and Crime Plan. Councillors have seen posts about groups in other boroughs and despite raising this locally, had not received a proper explanation why some groups are supported and others not.  

The Deputy Mayor confirmed that GMP is increasing the number of Traffic Officers in response to GM wide complaints about enforcement & also reviewing the Ticketing Office to improve the service. This should mean more spot speed checks by the police and better enforcement and Royton’s Labour Councillors will continue to press for action on Royton’s roads 

Councillor Hannah Roberts said ‘This was an appalling incident caused by a reckless coward who ran from the scene. No resident should have to experience this. We support the ongoing calls by Rochdale Road residents for enforcement action to stop this damage to cars and property. We will do all we can to ensure that a Rochdale Road Community Speed Watch group is supported as soon as possible to be able to monitor traffic and help make the road safer. I have spoken directly to the GMP team rolling out Community Speed Watch and made sure they know action is needed on Rochdale Road’  

Councillor Clint Phythian added ‘We have been told that because Rochdale Road is an emergency route, physical barriers such as speed humps, aren’t possible. We will ask the Highways Engineers to review all the options and see if the road can be changed to slow traffic down.’