FOR the residents who repeatedly complained about the state of their road, there is the good news - and the bad news.

On the plus side, Oldham council has finally started repairing the surface of Woodstock Street, which had been labelled the most potholed road in England.

The downside is that many of the residents will not be around to enjoy the smooth ride. Their homes are being bulldozed to make way for a regeneration project.

Arthur Tunnicliffe, who has lived on the street for 21 years, said: "This really was the worst road in the country. There were potholes everywhere and they just kept getting bigger and bigger.

"I've complained so many times and now someone has decided the road should be repaired. But residents won't benefit because they're being told they've got to move away."

Mr Tunnicliffe, whose terraced house is due to be knocked down as part of the renewal project, said: "I've lived here for 21 years and I'm going to stay and put up a fight, especially now the road is being fixed."

His neighbour Jane Lees, 36, said: "The road looks a lot better, but the work seems a bit pointless because people are already moving out."

Woodstock Street, which stands at the edge of the Glodwick area of Oldham, was branded England's worst road in a national survey in April.

It is on Oldham council's repairs hit list and work has begun to make it a less bumpy ride for drivers.

A council spokeswoman said: "A programme of works to repair the carriageway at Woodstock Street is currently under way.

"Repairs to the footpaths have already been carried out and, once the carriageway work is complete, we are confident residents, pedestrians and drivers will see and feel an immediate benefit."

But a compulsory purchase order was obtained on 23 properties on Woodstock Street and nearby Marlborough Street earlier this year.

The order was part of an on-going programme of regeneration work in the Glodwick renewal area.

The spokeswoman said this area has generated six years of investment since 1998 and has already transformed run-down and derelict properties.

"The CPO on Woodstock Street was sought after concerns that the 23 properties concerned were unsuitable for housing needs," she said. "The council requested the order to build more suitable properties on the site.

"A local public inquiry was held after objections were received. The council's view was upheld and the CPO confirmed."

She said the council will redevelop the site once the 23 properties are demolished and provide modern houses fit for the 21st century.

She said the council is working with property owners to offer alternative housing and to ensure residents are properly compensated.
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