SEVERE traffic disruptions are in place after a derelict building has collapsed between King Street and Oldham way.
Firefighters were called to the area shortly after 11:30am after reports that the building was beginning to fall apart.
Manchester Fire Service has advised anyone travelling in and out of Oldham today to avoid Kings Street after the dilapidated building collapsed, blocking access to the centre of the town.
The buildings collapse has meant that both lanes in and out of the area have been closed so that the fire service can begin clearing up the site and making sure that the area will be safe for members of the public.
In a joint effort, the police and fire service evacuated people out of nearby buildings whilst the area was made safe.
In a tweet sent out by their social media team, Oldham Police service has also advised any and all pedestrians to avoid the area whilst the clean-up operation is underway.
Officers dealing with a collapsed empty building on King St, Oldham. King St has been closed, please avoid the area. pic.twitter.com/8fAlDognsW
— GMP Oldham West (@GMPOldhamWest) August 12, 2016
Local mum Taylor Barnes wasn’t surprised at the damage, insisting that it ‘was only a matter of time’.
“My family pass up and down here all the time and we always said that it was dangerous. It’s just lucky that no one was walking past when it started to collapse because they would have been seriously hurt.
“Something needs to be done about all these old, unused buildings. It makes the area look really bad and is a waste of space.”
The abandoned buildings are part of a £1.3million facelift scheme announced by local councillor Fida Hussein back in June, which will turn this part of the high-street into a nicer and more safe area.
The key motivation of the initiative is to produce a joint public cycle/footway and to renovate five intersections so that they consist of toucan crossings. An extra crossing will likewise be added near the King Street corridor, not far from the building collapse, in order to further increase protection for pedestrians.
Speaking to the Oldham Chronicle, Councillor Hussein said: “The area had become a little tired and because of that we’ve decided to improve its look in keeping with the other street scene improvements we’ve made across the town centre.”
Two fire engines, as well as a Technical Response Unit were at the scene on Friday after noon.
Police and Fire services ask that people continue to avoid the area whilst the clean-up operation continues.
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