Oldham Council have updated residents on the status a suspension on IX Wireless works after permits appeared online. 

At the end of last week (October 24) a social media post by a resident expressed concerns that the suspension on IX Wireless carrying out work in Oldham had been lifted. 

They said that permits in Royton and Chadderton had been viewable online, leading them to believe the suspension had ceased. 

The GM Roadworks website, which maps works occurring in Greater Manchester, lists works beginning this week including on Thorp Road, Royton on October 28 as well as Wellington Street, Chadderton on October 30.

Earlier this month IX Wireless installations were suspended due to 'unsafe practices'.

The company said that the safety issues were related to a 'third party traffic management company' and have been 'rectified going forward'. 

However, a council spokesperson confirmed that while pole installations are not subject to planning restrictions, they do require highway permits which were suspended until the council received assurances on health and safety. 

The council has now confirmed that this suspension is still in place and that the permits appearing online are in fact also under this restriction and will not be going ahead. 

A spokesperson for the council explained that it is likely that the GM Roadworks site simply has not removed the listings on the map and that the work can not be carried out. 

The installation of poles and masts by IX Wireless has caused widespread upset, with heated protests and even a police response on Foxdenton Lane.

MP for Oldham West, Chadderton and Royton Jim McMahon called for 'calm' after several disturbances resulted in police responses in his constituency. 

Speaking of the suspension, Mr McMahon later stated: “I am very glad to hear that Oldham Council have suspended telecommunications development in the borough while health and safety checks take place.

“We have been calling for checks like this to take place for a long time now and have been working with different levels of government to see change to the National Planning Policy Framework and to find better ways to improve local connectivity – ways which greatly minimise current disruption.”