Kirkholt Roads resurfaced for the first time since World War Two

A number of roads on the Kirkholt estate have recently been resurfaced for the first time since the Second World War. Queen Victoria Street, Kenilworth Road, Gisburn Drive, Cavendish Road and Gainsborough Drive have all been resurfaced after local Councillors secured £30,000 of funding last year.

Work began on building the estate in the summer of 1945 after arrangements were made to use German prisoners of war to help in the construction, particularly in the early stages of landscaping, digging drains and laying out the roads. Rumour has it that legendary Manchester City Goalkeeper, Bert Trautmann, was one of the prisoners of war at the time that helped build the new estate.

The first two houses on the Kirkholt Estate to be let were Nos. 61 and 63 Queen Victoria Street and were ready in July 1948. Since then, the roads have never been resurfaced - well over 60 years!

Balderstone and Kirkholt Councillor Dale Mulgrew said: "I am delighted that this work has been carried out, it's been a long time coming. A number of residents on the estate told me that the road had now become in such a bad state that they were worried about damage to their own vehicles. Local buses were also finding it a real struggle to navigate the roads around the estate. The road now looks fantastic and I thank the Council's team for a job well done."

Ward colleague Councillor Pat Colclough said: "I am glad this work has been carried out as the roads had simply become inadequate. We are hoping to secure funding for further road improvements across our area. For example I know that we have already obtained the funding for the resurfacing of Hilltop Drive which will be carried out next year. We are determined to make the roads of our area the best across Rochdale!"