Highway to Littleborough or highway to hell? as MP slams roadworks nightmare

Friday, 14 November 2025 17:02

By David Murphy

Rochdale MP Paul Waugh has condemned the “chaos” caused by uncoordinated roadworks across Littleborough, warning that congestion is reaching breaking point for local residents, schools and businesses.

Temporary traffic lights in Hurstead, Littleborough and Hollingworth Lake have led to long tailbacks in recent days, with Waugh criticising utilities firms for failing to coordinate essential works.

In a statement, Mr Waugh said: “As a driver myself, I totally share the frustration and anger of many motorists in Littleborough for whom roadworks feel like a highway to hell.

“Many people will tolerate a bit of a delay if there are emergency works needed but this is beyond a joke now. Parents and kids are late for school and work, older folk are missing hospital and GP appointments, and businesses just can’t function when these roadworks are out of control.”

He said he had written to utilities firms demanding explanations and highlighted new Government powers that allow councils to fine companies up to £2,500 a day for excessive lane closures, a move he said would end “perverse incentives” to carry out repeated temporary patch-up jobs.

Waugh said that together with local Labour councillors, he was pushing for four key improvements:

Modernised traffic light systems: £450,000 has been secured from the Greater Manchester Combined Authority to upgrade outdated signal controls on the A58. The improvements are expected to cut delays by better coordinating light phasing along the busy corridor.

Lane rental powers: New legislation gives councils the ability to charge utilities firms daily fees for road closures. Waugh said this would encourage firms to complete long-term repairs instead of returning repeatedly for minor fixes. “Lane rental flips the economics,” he said.

A long-awaited relief road: A new link between Albert Royds Street and Smithy Bridge Road is now partly funded and expected to begin construction during this Parliament. It would provide the first real diversion route in decades and relieve pressure on a narrow, bottlenecked stretch of the A58.

Wider corridor improvements: Rochdale Council is progressing additional measures including safer junctions, improved pedestrian access and solutions to chronic pinch-points, informed by an independent review.

Littleborough Lakeside Councillor Tom Besford said: “Residents are absolutely fed up. Everyone in Littleborough has sat in traffic that shouldn’t be there, watched the same utility works come back again and again, and wondered why nothing ever changes.

“For the first time, we’re getting the tools to push back, proper traffic management, real penalties for utilities, and a clear plan for long-term fixes instead of endless disruption.”

Waugh said that with local, regional and national Labour representatives now aligned, the borough finally had the political leverage to challenge underperforming utilities and modernise Littleborough’s infrastructure.

“Littleborough has tolerated chaos on its main road for far too long. With a Labour government, a Labour Mayor and a Labour Council working together, we finally have the means to challenge the utilities, modernise the corridor and deliver the relief local people deserve. After decades of excuses, the work is finally beginning.”