We work to make Oldham's roads safer for everyone, whether you're walking, cycling, driving or using public transport.
We're responsible for introducing and maintaining road safety measures, such as speed humps and pedestrian crossings. We also manage traffic regulations, including speed limits and parking restrictions.
Report a road safety problem
If you're concerned about road safety in your area, you can report the problem to us online.
How we decide where road safety improvements are needed
We receive many requests for road safety improvements each year. As funding is limited, we need to prioritise the areas where changes could make the biggest difference.
When considering improvements, we look at whether they could help to:
- Reduce the number and severity of road collisions
- Reduce traffic or discourage drivers from using residential streets as shortcuts
- Reduce problems caused by commuter parking
- Improve public transport routes
- Make roads and pavements more accessible for disabled people
- Make walking and crossing roads safer and easier
- Improve cycling routes
- Protect the local environment
We also use road collision records, traffic surveys and site visits to help us decide where improvements are most needed.
How we involve residents
Before introducing certain road safety measures, we ask residents and other organisations for their views.
Depending on the type of scheme, we may also publish a formal notice in the local press, giving people an opportunity to comment or object.
For schemes involving road humps, we consult residents and emergency services and allow 28 days for formal objections.
We consider all objections before making a final decision. Sometimes this means changing our plans or carrying out further consultation.
Speeding and enforcement
Greater Manchester Police is responsible for enforcing speed limits on Oldham's roads.
If we're told about a speeding problem, we may investigate by:
- Visiting the location to assess the problem
- Carrying out traffic and speed surveys
- Checking records of road collisions involving injuries
Where appropriate, we share our findings with Greater Manchester Police, particularly if we believe additional speed enforcement may be needed.
Traffic calming measures
Traffic calming measures are changes to roads that encourage drivers to slow down and help make streets safer.
They're often used in residential areas to reduce the number and severity of collisions. They can also help discourage drivers from using residential streets as shortcuts, sometimes known as "rat running".
Traffic calming is commonly used in 20 mph zones to encourage drivers to keep to the lower speed limit.
Road humps
Road humps are raised sections of road designed to slow vehicles down.
There are rules about their height, shape and spacing to make sure they're safe and effective.
In Oldham, our standard road humps are 75 mm high. These have been found to reduce vehicle speeds to around 22 mph.
Road humps may have rounded or flat tops and are normally placed at regular intervals along a road.
Raised junctions
Raised junctions, sometimes called junction tables, are raised sections of road at junctions.
They encourage drivers to slow down and can also make it easier for pedestrians to cross the road.
Speed cushions
Speed cushions are smaller, raised sections of road, usually installed in pairs or groups of three.
They're designed to slow cars down while allowing wider vehicles, such as buses and fire engines, to pass over them more easily.
Speed cushions are often preferred on bus routes and roads used by emergency services.
Parking restrictions may also be needed to make sure vehicles can pass over the cushions safely.
Chicanes and road narrowing
Chicanes and build-outs narrow the road or change the path vehicles take, encouraging drivers to slow down.
They can be effective in some locations, but they're not suitable for every road. For example, they may reduce available parking or affect access to driveways.
Request traffic calming measures
We receive many requests for traffic calming each year and assess them carefully.
We use road collision records and other information to help identify where improvements are most urgently needed.
Because funding is limited, we give priority to locations where road safety measures are likely to have the greatest impact on reducing collisions and injuries.
Dangerous road junctions
We regularly review road collision information provided by Greater Manchester Police to identify junctions where people have been injured in collisions.
We also investigate concerns raised by residents about dangerous junctions.
Our priority is to improve locations with a history of injury collisions, where changes could help prevent further accidents.
20 mph speed limits and zones
There are two main ways of introducing a 20 mph speed restriction.
20 mph speed limits
These use road signs and markings to tell drivers the speed limit, without introducing physical traffic calming measures.
They're generally used on roads where average vehicle speeds are already low enough for drivers to follow the 20 mph limit without additional measures.
20 mph zones
These usually include traffic calming measures, such as road humps or chicanes, to encourage drivers to keep to the 20 mph speed limit.
Signs and road markings clearly show where a 20 mph zone begins.
Vehicle speed indicator signs
Vehicle speed indicator signs help remind drivers to slow down.
Some display the speed of approaching vehicles, while others show the speed limit.
Funding must be available before we can install new signs.