Concerns voiced on market plans

Concerns over Oldham Council’s proposals for the relocation of Shaw Market have been voiced by Lib-Dem leader Councillor Howard Sykes.

The authority has unveiled plans to invest £120,000 and move the market to Market Street, closing it to traffic, or move it to the Milne Street car park behind the Duke of York pub.

The council investment in the market is on top of the £100,000 the council has already pledged to support independent businesses in Shaw.

A consultation, running until October 17, is under way but Councillor Sykes believes the first option will cause traffic mayhem.

He said: “We all want to see a thriving market with a wide variety of goods and that buzz a real market has. The council has chosen to ignore our views and consult on only two options. Redeveloping the current site, as we wanted, is not even being considered.

“Diverting traffic along Eastway will place the public in danger and will cause traffic chaos. Moving to Market Street would make it impossible to have another market day, like a farmers market, if there were demand.

“How many times does Oldham Council need to be told we don’t want a pedestrian-only Market Street?

“One might even think the council wants the existing market site for some other purpose, possibly linked with the neighbouring Crompton Pool site? Why else would you rule out redevelopment of the market, which will be the most cost effective and cheapest option.”