Speed bumps could affect brass band contest, locals fear

Uppermill has held an annual Whit Friday Brass Band Contest since 1884

A plan to put traffic calming measures on a village's high street is "pointless" and could interfere with its annual brass band contest, residents have said.

Oldham Council want to put a permanent 20mph zone and 10 speed bumps along Uppermill High Street following a trial of the measures.

The council's highways department has also proposed six "ghost" bumps which are painted on to the street to look like the real thing, but are not actually raised.

Residents said the plan was unnecessary and would "make a total mess of the historic high street".

Locals have raised concerns the measures could affect brass band marches and other local traditions.

Uppermill has held an annual Whit Friday Brass Band Contest since 1884 and the competition now forms a key part of the wider Saddleworth and Oldham Whit Friday Contests.

Reacting to the plan on social media, one resident said the villagers "do not need speed bumps" while another called it "pointless".

Other residents called for cameras to enforced the 20mph limit.

The village hosts a number of events, including the Saddleworth Rushcart Festival

Councillor Helen Bishop said it was "important to get the message across to people to drive carefully and slowly through the village centre".

The councillor urged residents to contact the council by 27 September if they wanted to complain, but added that she was hopeful that "we’ll be able to find a happy medium".

The measures have been proposed for High Street and several adjoining streets in the village.

Ms Bishop said she was particularly concerned about dangerous driving at night when residents were leaving pubs and restaurants.

Councillor Chris Goodwin, whose has responsibility for roads, said in recent years, the council had been "contacted by a number of people concerned about the speed vehicles are travelling at in parts of Uppermill".

"We've listened to them and that's why we are proposing a permanent 20mph speed limit and traffic calming measures," he said.

He added that the measures also included a walking route for schoolchildren.