Icon’s put on hold

Holinwood Area Committee reports

PLANS for an Icon Of Oldham — which would have been situated in Hollinwood — have been put on hold due to the recession.

Council officers had begun to investigate the ambitious project to create a symbol for the borough — which could have been anything from a beam of light to an Angel Of The North-style sculpture — and had already received 87 expressions of interest from artists.

But the project, which would have cost £1-£2 million, has been shelved.

Paul White, service director for regeneration, said: “It was felt it would not be the right thing to do in Oldham because of the current climate and we should be dealing with employment.”

The icon was just one of a number of schemes planned during the final year of SRB6 funding.

Mr White said £1,706,440 of Government funding had been spent during the year and any unused money went straight back.

Projects included £318,000 spent on Hollinwood estate improvements and £31,875 on Pump Street demolitions.

Janet Gipson, co-optee, said plans for a new £600,000 Hollinwood Community Centre only failed because of timing issues.

Mr White said: "We came with a package of ideas and delivered them on time.’

Resident Joan Gipson said: "Looking on Hollins Road, to say we’ve had a regeneration scheme, it’s an utter disgrace."


CRIME in Hollinwood has either dropped or stayed the same according to figures.

Between November 2008 and January 2009, there were 20 fewer reported incidents of youth nuisance compared with the same period the previous year.

Burglaries dropped by seven incidents, criminal damage by five and street robberies fell by two — although there were five more incidents of vehicle crime.

Area Inspector Dave Stopford said: “We are continuing to target vehicle crime and burglary in the whole of the borough.

“What we are seeing is more people ringing up when they see something — especially in the early hours.

“As a result we have made some good arrests.”


REPAIRS to Coal Pit Lane, set to cost £150,000, could begin next month — if the money can be found.

If not, the two weeks of engineering works to repair the road would be paid for out of next year’s council budget.

But members were warned that the scheme would not be classed as priority.