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Frank can make it in Hollinwood
Reporter: by KAREN DOHERTY
Date online: 29 October 2009
DREAMS of putting Oldham on the world map with a touch of Hollywood glamour are sensationally still alive.
Councillors have approved a scheme to re-create the world-famous Tinseltown sign next to the M60 in Hollinwood — against their own officers’ advice.
The local hero behind the scheme will now take on the Highways Agency which says it will not have the sign on its land.
Oldham hit the headlines when the 8ft-high letters were mysteriously erected at the junction 22 slip-road in August.
The sign was immediately removed by the agency which branded it unsafe.
Businessman Frank Rothwell was unmasked as as the man behind a £700 scheme to rival Gateshead’s Angel of the North — with more than 200 messages of support through the Chronicle’s Are You Backing Frank campaign.
At least 2,000 Facebook users also voted to bring it back and the Manchester Cabins boss submitted an official planning application.
Mr Rothwell was ecstatic at last night’s decision by the planning committee and told the Chronicle: “It would have been a very brave council to vote against it given the weight of support we have been getting. There have been no negative vibes at all.
“It is not going to cost the people of Oldham anything.”
Mr Rothwell has spent more than £2,000 preparing the plans.
He added: “We have now got a mandate because the people of Oldham have spoken through the planning committee.
“We have now got to approach the Highways Agency and I couldn’t do that without this.
“I am going to make this happen. Millions and millions of people who do not live in Oldham will see it. We are advertising our town to millions.”
The Highways Agency fear that the sign will attract drivers’ attention — described as political correctness gone mad by Councillor Mike Buckley.
Councillor Steven Bashforth added: “It can only do good for Hollinwood. It’s just fantastic.”
Comments
Brilliant news at a time when we have councils on the front pages of newspapers banning parents from playing and watching their own kids in park playgrounds unless they have a CRB check which is total insanity. To a council who actually listen to the public and allow a little lightheatedness into the world Well done OMBC now come on Highways agency lighten up!
GOOD ON HIM!!!
If the Councillors have approved it, put the sign on top of Montgomery House. Everyone using the M60 will see it and the Highways Agency wont be able to complain as it wont be on their land
highways agency, the body designed to create congestion and mis-information.
Does the original Hollywood sign distract drivers? Have any accidents, injuries, fatalities been attributed to it? Answer, NO! The people of LA are proud of their sign and it is seen by many times more drivers & residents than our sign would be. I'm sure there would be a major outcry if attempts were made to remove it by pettifogging government minions. Go for it! Let's stop being dictated to by faceless jobsworths.
Its so nice to have a bit of good news.
Well done Frank.
Frank got a mention on Steve Wright in the afternoon's Big Show this afternoon
And flashing overhead signs don't take your eyes off the road? Nor do exit signs, or any other landmarks on the M60!!
Great news at last.
Well done Frank, just make it BIG!!!!
Have Your Say
the highways agency cannot dictate this. it is public land. owned by us, the people of britain. anyway the real hollywood sign is clearly visable from most streets. that hasnt meant it has to be taken down.
it is health and safety gone mad!
in fact the highways agencies traffic wombles that parade up and down our motorway networks are more distracting trying to pretend to be traffic police!
By fedupoldhamer @ 29/10/2009 11:52:10