The hidden problems on the road linking Oldham and Tameside

Lane Head Road, a main route connecting the towns of Oldham to Tameside, is used by many but so often ignored.

On 13 October 2024, a 24-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of drug driving and child neglect. She was involved in a car crash on Lane Head Road, where the car overturned with her, a man and a child inside.

On 19 December 2025, approximately 125 houses were left without electricity after a suspected drunk driver collided into and damaged an electricity pole. This left local residents without electricity for three days and access through the road was cut off whilst the issue was addressed.

These major events both unfolded on Lane Head Road due to dangerous driving and poor road conditions, with an increasing number of incidents occurring as time goes on.

Local residents report that the drystone walls are frequently used to store drugs for someone to collect them a few minutes later. The drug use is evident in the area, seen by the discarded debris – including gas canisters and drug packaging – littered at the sides of the road.

Antisocial behaviour and related criminal activities - such as illegal drug use, including the use of Nitrous Oxide, a Class C drug - take place in the lay-bys on Lane Head Road, an area with a Section 59 notice which gives police more power to carry out immediate work, but several residents have told us that they rarely see police patrols after nightfall, when most incidents take place.

The area of Saddleworth and Lees will soon be appointed a new Neighbourhood Sergeant, Andy Holian. Residents hope that his future work will improve the road and surrounding area.

Sergeant Andy Holian of GMP’s Oldham district said: “The Saddleworth & Lees Neighbourhood Policing Team is aware of the issues on Lane Head Road, and this area is already on a patrol plan, with officers conducting proactive patrols when they are on duty. These patrols have resulted in arrests, stop‑searches, and the seizure of drugs from individuals found there.

“The team are gathering intelligence, engaging with visitors to the area to discourage anti-social behaviour and recently a police surgery was held to support residents in the area.

“We are in discussions with colleagues at Oldham Council and where perpetrators are identified we will consider joint enforcement action. We would also like to encourage residents to continue to report issues of concern to ourselves via our channels. These reports help to build up intelligence so we can amend our patrol plans accordingly."

Schoolchildren’s safety is being put at risk

St Agnes Primary School’s said their main concern is their students’ safety.

Lane Head Road sits between approximately 210 and 290 meters above sea level – one and a half times the height of the Blackpool Tower – but is not part of the main gritting route despite the gradient and bends of the road creating significant hazards during icy conditions.

Some believe the road was previously on a gritting route and has since been removed. Other roads of similar elevation are gritted but it’s known that gritters only travel up to the primary school and do not continue further up the road, where parents, children and staff travel over and park on areas that can become extremely icy.

The primary school was constructed in 1848. It once had a carpark, but it has since been removed to expand the children’s playground.

St Agnes is considered as a rural school and now attracts students from across both boroughs. Attending a rural school requires parents to consider walking to school to reduce traffic and school drop-off and pick-up congestion.

Some expect the traffic around the school to worsen once the estate on Knowls Lane is completed. They have suggested starting initiatives such as a ‘walking school bus’ to reduce risk and improve students’ safety.

The section of Lane Head Road near the school is narrow and consists of blind corners caused by the dense trees and bushes. The road has no pavement, so children are constantly crossing the road to avoid being trapped behind blind corners, creating significant risk to their safety, especially when the foliage is in leaf.

Further up from the school, a significant corner of the road is overgrown due to self-seeded trees, making the section high-risk. Residents have adopted the responsibility of trimming these trees due to perceived lack of council maintenance.

Residents adopting the responsibility of trimming the trees on Lane Head Road.

Overgrowth has also led to the road’s gullies becoming invisible, increasing the risk of flooding and icing.

Our local environment needs protecting

Lane Head Road is estimated to have been built during the late 18th century. It is considered living history, but local community members point out that others treat the road and the surrounding area with disrespect.

Litter is often found along the route, especially in the lay-by associated with antisocial behaviour. Residents and other members of the community have found themselves forming litter-picking groups that travel along Lane Head Road and go as far as Lees and Grotton.

Residents contributing to the maintenance of Lane Head Road.

Residents describe the area as a beautiful place to live with a strong neighbourhood community, but issues regarding the road are making them wary of safety of road users, pedestrians, animals, and other residents.

Many fear that without the help of the council and wider community to maintain the area, future generations will not be able to experience the beauty several take for granted.

It is said that more needs to be done to help the area become the greatest it can be.