HEALTH watchdogs are starting the campaign to fight for a new road to improve access to the borough's millennium hospital.

Bury Community Health Council (CHC) says it is concerned about the limited access routes to the site on Rochdale Old Road.

Mr Paul Reynolds, chief officer said: "There is no parallel road to Rochdale Old Road and if the road is blocked for whatever reason it could cause major problems."

He added: "What we need now is a direct road from the site to the M66 motorway which would make a huge difference."

Currently access to the hospital, to be built at one super site at Fairfield, Bury, is available from two sections on Rochdale Old Road.

Mr Frank Blackburn, director of estates for Bury Health Care NHS Trust, explained that if the road is blocked alternative access is available by going through side roads or around the hospital through Heywood.

But, he said, he agreed with Bury CHC's call for a new road. The trust - responsible for running Bury hospitals - bid for Single Regeneration money three years ago to build the £2 million road but was turned down.

"It was very disappointing to have our bid turned down as the new road would have been ideal," said Mr Blackburn.

"It is some thing we all want but the cost is too high for the trust to do it alone."

Now the CHC say Bury should be putting in another bid to build the road in time for when the £24 million hospital opens in 2003.

"We have got past the first hurdle of getting the funding for a new hospital that Bury desperately needs. Now we need to concentrate on sorting out the problem of access and getting this much-needed new road," said Mr Reynolds.

"We will be doing all we can to get this road and hope the people of Bury will support us all the way."

Mr Reynolds also raised concerns about the traffic calming measures on Rochdale Old Road which he claims could slow down an ambulance in an emergency.

"There is no room for it to go down the middle of the road and at the very least the trust needs to consider that ."

Mr Blackburn emphasised that the trust had been working with experts to minimise traffic congestion and to ensure ambulance had easy access.

"It is something we have taken very seriously. All the plans have been very carefully considered and we have been working with the local authority to ensure that any problems are dealt with," he said.

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