Signs still a blot on the landscape

BLOCKING the view . . . the offending signs and protester Councillor Dave Hibbert

...but council says it is waiting for permission to move them

A PETITION is demanding that council chiefs remove controversial signs blighting Chadderton Town Hall — two months after they promised to do so.

Chadderton South councillor David Hibbert has started GROTS: Get Rid of the Signs.

But the council says that it has acted and is waiting for planning permission.

The signs attracted a storm of criticism when they went up in the conservation area in Middleton Road at the start of November as part of Oldham Council’s rebranding.

The large one was put up without consent and dubbed unnecessary, inappropriate and too big for the historic town hall which is also the borough’s register office.

Locals and councillors feared they would spoil wedding photographs and block people’s view of the annual remembrance service in the town hall gardens. The council bowed to pressure and agreed to move the Chadderton Town Hall sign on to the railings.

The visitor parking information would be reduced in size and placed on a brick pillar, it added.

But Councillor Dave Hibbert is angry that nothing has been done, and argues that the proposed action does not go far enough.

He wants more tasteful signs and warned that other councillors would be outraged if similar things were erected in their areas.

He added: “They wouldn’t put them in Uppermill next to Saddleworth Museum.

“They are just hoping we will forget it and go away but Chadderton people are more determined than that.

“All nine Chadderton councillors are absolutely disgusted with this, as are local residents. The design, the size, the colour the position is inappropriate.

“Everybody knows it is Chadderton Town Hall — the sign should be far less obvious. Someone who is more accustomed to Arkwright Street recycling depot and rubbish tips has designed it.”

Councillor Mark Alcock, cabinet member for environment and infrastructure, confirmed the council was waiting for planning permission to move the signs.

He said: “We have listened to what people have said. Officers and myself have met with local councillors and Chadderton Historical Society on site. The planning permission that’s gone in is for a solution they both agreed on.”