A SHOCK survey has branded notorious Woodhead Pass the fifth most dangerous road in Britain.
But the news has come as no surprise to campaigners pressing for a bypass through Longdendale.
Or the people from the villages that are cut in half by the traffic snarled, accident ridden A628
An 18 months study by the AA-led European Road Assessment program has just come up with a frightening assessment of Britain's roads. It labelled the A889 in the Scottish Highlands the worst with 875 fatal or serious accidents for every billion vehicular kilometers between 1997 and 99.
But the fifth spot went to the seven kilometre stretch of the A628 with 327. The national average is just 62.
It was a statistic that horrified road users.
But it did not surprise Longdendale Siege chairman Mike Flynn whose group constantly stresses the road's dangers.
"We have been saying for years what the survey has now come up with" he said. "The road is dangerous and the accidents are now happening nearer and nearer the villages. And if we aren't careful they will come down right into the villages. That is why we need a bypass as soon as possible."
The problem with the A628 is the number of sharp bends, some after straight stretches, and the fact is runs feet from the front doors of homes in Tintwistle, Hollingworth and Mottram.
More than 25,000 vehicles a day use it, including a huge amount of heavy goods vehicles skirting between motorways.