Cllr Harkness next to one of the lamp standards in Delph Village
By Stuart Littleford
Liberal Democrat Councillor for Saddleworth North Ward, Garth Harkness, has told Saddleworth News that many Saddleworth residents are concerned about a lack of consultation on the new street lighting being erected in some conservation areas.
He says people in Delph, Diggle, Dobcross and Denshaw believe there has not been enough consultation with the lighting contractor EON, who are replacing old street lighting with new, more energy efficient and brighter lamp posts.
Villagers are concerned that some of the posts are not in keeping with traditional lighting within the conservation areas, and claim concerns about this are not being answered by the contractor, and work is carrying on regardless.
Cllr Harkness said: “We have had some residents concerned about the new street lighting and in particular what is going on in conservation areas in Delph, some poles were put up without agreement as well as on Harrop Green in Diggle’s conservation area.
“Work had begun in conservation areas in Diggle and Delph before the agreed consultation - this has stopped now. We have already met with the conservation officer and EON to discuss the street lighting options and are going to have further meetings very soon, we have agreement to hold consultation meetings in the villages with conservation areas in Saddleworth North ward (Diggle, Dobcross, Delph, Denshaw), Buckton Close and Devon Drive in Diggle are a couple of examples in Diggle where lighting columns were moved from positions at one side to the opposite side of the street, which now effect the residents.
“Residents are starting to get some responses from EON when they have issues so there are positives with some better management. There are however problems with lack of consultation where lamps have gone in without residents being consulted. I respect that some may miss the letters at times, but the volume of people I’ve spoken to suggests there is still a problem communicating with residents.”
He also feels residents are feeling ignored because the work seems to continue regardless. He says there needs to be more “flexibility and sensitivity” to people’s concerns and the problems should be looked into. Although he knows everyone can’t always get the outcome they want Garth says the work just carries on regardless. He acknowledges that EON have improved in responding to residents but still says people have every right to be annoyed if they are not being listened to.
“My two colleagues and I have asked several times for the work programme for the area so we know when work is being carried out. We have just been finding out in passing or when people have complained to us.
“There had been an agreement that nothing would be done in conservation areas. It is extremely annoying that posts have been put up in some of the conservation areas already. We have asked that this is stopped because we need public consultation. We have insisted that we look at the options and have public input in the ward through public meetings so that people can have a say on what we want in the conservation area.
“There seems to be some disagreement with EON over what we get in the contract in conservation areas. It is not necessarily standard columns because as far as we are concerned, it is quite simple, as part of the contract, we can have a like for like replacement. So if we have a heritage style lantern now then within the contract we get the same standard,” he added.
Garth also said that enhancing the standard of others would need to be paid for as it is “like for like” outside the conservation area there is no choice, it is the silver poles. He wants to see more flexibility with this but in the conservation areas there needs to be a choice. This choice has to be the local people.
The three ward councillors will be pushing to get as much as they can from within the contract and will be looking forward to residents input into this process because they are insisting on public consultation meetings for the conservation areas.
They said there has been some progress, but the idea that EON can do what they please and ignore everyone seems to be wavering, but there is still more to be done.
‘No consultation about streetlights?’ what about ‘consultation’ re the 3 story school, sports pitch, increased traffic volume etc etc etc ???
so he is obviously against the proposed car park at the rear of some houses on Huddersfield Road that will require heavy duty lighting for insurance purposes - glad to know this
Would like a light whatever shape colour. Got knocked down on way to my home but OMBC won’t let us have a light.
Why would I be against a car park when I have pushed for this to be looked at? Originally there was planned to be nothing. On consultation I did have agreement with the then Oldham cabinet member for more consultation earlier but it did not happen when he was pulled from the role in May.
Is this news worthy?
In a word Jack, no! It is another example of smoke and mirrors local politics.Looking like you’re doing something constructive. Again, I think people have slightly greater concerns at the moment.
What nonsense is the councillor writing about then? How can he not be against a car park when it is proposed building on greenbelt land and what is he going to do about it then seeing as the planning officer has declined to reply to ANY and ALL letters from residents condemning these plans?
Not really sure about the new lights . They certainly lighten up the streets and if it can help save accidents and lives and possibly thefts, muggings ,assaults etc it may well be it is good investment in the eyes of our lives . They are already in situ where I live and as long as the whole area get them eventually I won’t be too concerned about the new look . We were notified it was happening and had chance to discuss any issues .
Jack: December 22, 2013 at 9:27 pm Is this news worthy? Of course it is newsworthy and obviously so by the reaction and comments on here.
Councillor Harkness quotes more sensitivity and flexibility needs to be shown is this the same amount that has been shown to a lot of residents in Diggle about the school being moved there . The Councillor says EON seemed to think that they could ignore everyone and do what they please, a bit like some Parish Councillors and OMBC where the school is concerned and the upheavel it will cause the residents. Other than that I totally agree with everything LB has said ,it doesn’t matter about people having floodlights and playing fields at the back of their houses.
from a conservation point of view (which is supposed to be the councillors point!) prior to these heavy duty bright white lights going up we used to hear the owls every night - not now, they’ve mysteriously gone away and the light outside our house has been on permanently since it was erected, 3 weeks and counting!
and conservation issues or not, this is an expensive project that really didn’t need to happen (yet)
Can’t believe its Christmas time , good will and all that !!
It’s about time people stop being so negative on absolutely everything that gets published .
Think about what actually may be positive about things for a change . I am sure the family and friends of the poor little Shaw girls and others alike would have been very grateful of brighter street lighting at such a difficult time of the year for drivers . .
This topic certainly isn’t about a school in Diggle , which has now been agreed ! IPending planning being sorted .
Once the whole lighting system is finished you prob won’t even tell the difference .
The topic was about lighting in conservation areas so there was no need to strum up the terrible episode of recent days - daylight, moonlight, bright light, whatever will never stop crap driving and dangerous driving
Bad on you for stirring up what must be a terrible time for some and besides not everyone celebrates Christmas
Who said anything about crap or bad drivers . Not all accidents , are a drivers fault .
Also I doubt the family and friends involved in such will be forgetting . Hence I do believe there is a massive urgency for better lighting as in fact many bad accidents are in fact during bad weather nights .
Who said anything about celebrating quote “good will ” something I believe your comments have very little of .
And as for stating bad on me , that seems to be your opinion on everybody who disagrees with you . Did you read the other comments ? Percy being knocked down . The ones about Diggle . Car parking , 3 storey school only it appears not .