I think we need to complain about the council.
They've not repaired a bridge and it looks very likely they're using
the excuse that they've got no money in this financial year for it
(They promised it'd be done in the last financial year and its been
cancelled)
They've never responded properly to the petition we've put in, our
local councillor wasn't ware of the issue (And he's head of the
planning and environment sections that deal with the bridge repair) -
and he's failed to get it done also.

In the complaints section:

A complaint is a way of telling the Council you are not happy with a
service and gives us the opportunity to put things right. We record
and report customer complaints in line with our legal responsibility.
Complaints can include a lack of response, discourtesy, failure to
meet deadlines, etc.

lack of response, failiure to meet deadlines...  this looks like a
valid reason to complain... 

BUT will complaining help get it done? Can they just turn round and
say tough we've got no money?

They're starting the process of alley gating the horrid shirtcut we
currently have to use, and once they've done that we will have NO
physical connection to Oldham - we are in effect an island cut off by
Manchester streets and the canal. [1]
(Hence my enquiry about perhaps we should change local authority as
Oldham seems to not be very interested in us)

We've had articles in the local paper about the birdge, letters etc
and have been to see our MP. Other local councillors have tried to
find out information about the bridge repair for us but officers have
not given them any information either.

[1] Which will lead to more people trying to access the damaged bridge
to cross rather than walk the mile+ round. 

The bridge repair is esstimated to be £15000 which is quite a lot when
originally it was only two small planks damaged - but the council
"repair"man removed all the planks from the bridge for use as spares
elsewhere.

-- 
http://wwww.orderonlinepickupinstore.co.uk
Ah fetch it yourself if you can't wait for delivery
http://wwww.freedeliveryuk.co.uk
Or get it delivered for free

On Tue, 15 May 2007 13:10:37 +0100, Mogga
 wrote:

>They've now said they're weighing up the options - which makes me
>think this is the first time they've actually looked at solving the
>problem. Otherwise surely they'd have the calculations done back in
>January/Feb when the first deadline was given.

You would be well advised to ignroe any advise from Mabon Dane

http://www.standardsboard.co.uk/Pressoffice/Pressreleasearchive/Pressreleases2006/title,3866,en.html