Werneth refurbishment keeps up the pace » Housing » 24dash.com

As refurbishment work across more than 110 homes in the Werneth neighbourhod of Oldham is completed, residents in neighbouring streets can also look forward to their homes benefiting from the improvements.

Oldham Council and the Oldham Rochdale Housing Market Renewal Pathfinder are continuing their programme of renovation to homes across the neighbourhood. Bramall Construction is carrying out the work.

Residents on Manchester Road, Tamworth Street and Cambridge Street are benefiting from the first phase of works. Improvements to the Cambridge Street homes will complement the new houses built with Housing Market Renewal funding on nearby Devon Street and Norfolk Street.

More than £800,000 has been invested in the Exterior Improvements Scheme in Werneth this year. With this phase all of Oxford Street will be complete, creating a great visual impact on one of the main gateways through Werneth.

The contractors have rebuilt boundary walls at the front and rear, installing new railings, and have fitted new gutters and rainwater pipes. Repointing stonework has led to a huge improvement in the condition and appearance of front external walls.

Many local people chose to make other improvements to their homes at the same time, at their own cost.

Neighbourhood Programme Manager, Margaret Sumner said, “Refurbishing the houses is giving a new lease of life to people’s homes, as well as enhancing the appearance of the neighbourhood as a whole.”

Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Coun. Mohib Uddin said, "It is good to see the area being revitalised. This continuing refurbishment programme is offering properties the much needed facelift for which the area has been waiting many years."

Terry Hannon, Contracts Manager from Bramall Construction, said, “The refurbishment is continuing throughout Werneth and we’ve already had some excellent feedback from local residents who have been delighted with the results. “

“The works have made a profound difference to the local area helping to make it more attractive. These are just the first properties where works will be undertaken this year. The final results will help bring about a remarkable transformation.”

The latest homes to be included in the improvement programme are on Oxford Street and Cornwall Street.

The work will bring the total number of refurbished houses across the HMR neighbourhoods of Werneth and Derker to more than 500 since the Pathfinder began work in 2004.