A major motorway will face three overnight closures lasting more than a month in total while safety features on a bridge are replaced. The M62 will be fully closed in both directions between junction 22 (Saddleworth) and junction 24, while another road will be closed for six months. National Highways said it had to close the motorway while it replaced an existing aluminium parapet on Scammonden Bridge with a new steel one. Scammonden Bridge carries Saddleworth Road (B6114) over the motorway. The closures will take place across three separate periods from May to August, and will last a total of 41 nights. The first closure will begin next month, from May 12 until May 27, then again on June 19
A large sinkhole has appeared on a busy street in Royton, which is currently allegedly being used as a rat-run. The sinkhole appeared on Wednesday (April 8) on Berkeley Drive, according to resident Mark Nicholls. Mr. Nicholls said: "There's nothing under the tarmac. Anything that goes around it, if it's close enough, it will just go under. The 50-year-old painter and decorator said it is particularly concerning as his road is a busy street, which has become even busier recently. The sinkhole appeared on a busy street (Image: Mark Nicholls) At the start of February, the nearby Sheepfoot Lane closed due to maintenance work.
The Bee Network's 184 bus service has been diverted due to moorland fires near Saddleworth. The route, which normally runs between Oldham, Greenacres, Diggle and Huddersfield town centre, cannot use Mount Road and is instead diverting via the A62 Manchester Road in both directions. The diversion is expected to remain in place until further notice. Two moorland fires broke out in Marsden on Tuesday afternoon, April 7, with fire crews from Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service and West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service attending from around 2pm into the evening. Residents were advised to shut windows and doors and avoid the area.
National Highways will carry out essential repair works on Broad Lane bridge, which carries the B6194 over the M62 between junctions 20 and 21 near Oldham. The works will run from Tuesday April 7 to Sunday April 12, taking place mainly overnight between 8pm and 5am. Lane three of three will be closed in both directions while the hard shoulder remains open, maintaining three lanes each way. A 50mph speed limit with narrow lanes will be enforced. The works include concrete repairs to the bridge's central support, replacing sections of the central reservation safety barrier, resurfacing the carriageway in both directions, and refreshing road markings. Signed diversions will be in place and National Highways will attempt to minimise noise from the works.
A section of Footpath 272 (Chew Road) in Saddleworth will remain closed until September 30, 2026, or until United Utilities completes spillway improvement works, whichever comes first. The closure spans from the junction with Footpath 274 at Chew Brook to the junction with Footpath 270. Oldham Borough Council extended the temporary closure order on March 30 with Secretary of State consent. The path will be reopened outside working hours and at weekends whenever possible. Full details of the order are available at Spindles Oldham.
Transport for Greater Manchester has announced tram improvement works affecting the Oldham line over Easter weekend 2026. The works will take place at Deansgate-Castlefield and Trafford Bar from Friday, April 3 to Monday, April 6. All trams from Oldham will terminate at Exchange Square during this period. Passengers needing to travel beyond Exchange Square must use replacement bus services. South Manchester lines will either not run or terminate at Firswood. Normal tram services will resume from Tuesday, April 7.
National Highways will carry out essential road works on A663 Broadway in Oldham between A627M Chadderton roundabout and M60 Junction 21. The overnight closures will run from 9pm to 6am between March 23 and May 21, 2026. Works include new road markings and studs, with signed diversions in place. Access for residents and emergency services will be maintained. The closures follow earlier northbound works by United Utilities and National Highways from March 9-23.
Multiple road closures are scheduled across Oldham over the next two weeks. The A627M will close nightly from March 24 at 9pm until March 28 at 5am for verge and off-road works on behalf of National Highways. The A663 will close from March 30 at 9pm to April 8 at 7am for white lining and road markings. Whitegates Road will be closed from April 6 at 8am until April 27 at 5pm for carriageway resurfacing. All closures are part of scheduled maintenance works.
Oldham residents will see improved bus services later this year with more frequent journeys and new night buses. The 83 bus route linking Oldham, Failsworth, Hollinwood and Manchester city centre will get a new night service running Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Daytime, evening and weekend services will also become more frequent. These changes are part of wider Bee Network improvements across Greater Manchester following passenger feedback. The upgrades aim to help people commute, visit family and enjoy local amenities, with particular benefits for those working late or early shifts.
Mayor Andy Burnham has announced the return of 24-hour night bus services to Oldham, operating Thursday to Saturday on the 83 route between Oldham, Failsworth, Hollinwood and Manchester city centre. The service will also run more frequently during daytime, evening and weekends. These changes are part of 36 service improvements across Greater Manchester's 10 boroughs, marking the most significant bus network upgrade since local control began in January 2025. Subject to approval, the improvements will take effect in the 2026/27 financial year. The expansion includes new night bus services in Stockport, Tameside and Trafford, with completely new routes in Stockport, Ashton and Wigan, and increased connectivity to key employment and visitor destinations like the Trafford Centre.
Oldham drivers face multiple road closures over the next two weeks. The A663 northbound will be closed until March 23 for drainage work between Middleton Lane and the A627(M), covering 1.28 kilometres. Additional A663 carriageway closures begin March 20 for white lining and road markings between A627M Junction 1 and the M60, running Wed-Thu 9pm-6am and Mon-Tue, Fri 9pm-5am until March 27. The M60 will also see a lane closure March 23-24 from 8pm to 6am for horticulture works between J20 and J23. Motorists are advised to plan journeys in advance as delays are expected.
Oldham Council will enforce yellow box junction offences from summer 2026, though specific sites remain unconfirmed. The Oldham Times readers identified Broadway junctions at M60 Junction 21, particularly with Semple Way and Broadgate, as most problematic. Manchester Road near M60 Junction 22 and multiple Huddersfield Road junctions near Tesco Extra were also frequently mentioned. Cross Street junctions with Huddersfield Road and Lees Road drew complaints about daily blockages. Readers described these locations as 'cash cows' for enforcement and noted 20-minute delays caused by vehicles blocking yellow boxes.
A major crash closed Broadway in Chadderton both directions on March 17, 2026, after 6pm. Emergency services responded to a collision involving three vehicles near Elk Mill roundabout. An air ambulance was called to the scene. Traffic built up between Elk Mill roundabout and Netherhey Lane. Fire crews from Chadderton, Oldham, and Ashton attended. Police urged motorists to avoid the area. Some buses to Manchester City match were delayed. Multiple damaged cars were visible at the Elk Mill Shopping Park junction.
Oldham Council is finalising plans to enforce driving offences at several yellow box junctions using cameras from summer 2026. The council has identified junctions where drivers repeatedly break rules but refuses to disclose which sites have been selected. Warning notices will be installed at each location before enforcement begins, reminding drivers not to enter boxes unless they can exit the other side. Permanent signs will also warn of camera use. Cllr Chris Goodwin, Cabinet Member for Transport and Highways, confirmed the council already has powers to enforce traffic rules including blocking junctions, banned turns, and oversized vehicles on restricted roads.
A section of Theatre Street in Oldham will close to all vehicles from March 17 for a two-week electrical upgrade. The closure affects the stretch between Hopkin Street and Horsedge Street. The order will remain in force for two weeks or until works are completed, whichever comes first. Traffic will be diverted via Horsedge Street and Rock Street. The closure is part of planned infrastructure improvements in the area.
Nether Hey Street in Oldham will be closed for up to two weeks following a Temporary Prohibition of Driving Order issued by Oldham Borough Council on March 11. The closure affects traffic from its junction with Nuttall Street for 20 metres in a southeasterly direction. The road closure is necessary to allow ENWL to carry out electrical connection works. The Order will remain in force for two weeks or until the works are completed, whichever comes first.
Oldham and Rochdale Metrolink passengers will face multiple service disruptions throughout spring 2026. On Sunday March 22, no trams will run between Rochdale Town Centre and Victoria, with replacement buses serving the route. Easter Bank Holiday weekend from April 3-6 will see all services terminate at Exchange Square. From May 16-29, no trams will operate between Rochdale Town Centre and Victoria, requiring replacement buses again. Passengers heading to East Didsbury must walk from Victoria to Exchange Square. The replacement bus service will not stop at Oldham Central due to town centre pedestrianisation.
The northbound A663 Broadway in Chadderton will close for sewer repairs between Middleton Road (A669) and Chadderton Roundabout from March 9 to 23. United Utilities is coordinating the work with Oldham Council and National Highways to minimise disruption. Southbound carriageway resurfacing will take place overnight starting week commencing March 23. Further details will be shared on National Highways' website. More information is available at www.nationalhighways.co.uk/our-roads/north-west/north-west-maintenance-schemes.
Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham announced the removal of 9.30am bus pass restrictions for older and disabled people, effective March 1, 2026. The change follows successful trials in August and November 2025 that allowed around 400,000 residents to travel without time limits. Transport for Greater Manchester reported the policy helped spread demand and reduce overcrowding on early morning services. Saddleworth Parish Council unanimously welcomed the change, with councillors noting benefits for disabled students and residents who need to travel before 9.30am. The concessionary travel change was announced alongside frozen bus and tram fares until the end of 2026, including the £2 single Bee Network bus fare.
A crash on the M62 between Junction 22 (Saddleworth) and Junction 21 (Newhey) caused long delays during rush hour on February 25, 2026. The collision involved a car and a van, with the car unable to drive away and requiring recovery. Traffic stretched back to near Junction 23 (Outlane), with delays lasting until shortly before 9am. Emergency services attended the scene, and Greater Manchester Police confirmed no injuries were reported. The incident occurred shortly before 7am, with two lanes initially closed before being reopened.