Mystery of missing park and ride plan

BUSIER than ever . . . Mills Hill station which was promised extra car parking spaces

MEMBERS of a railway pressure group are demanding answers to the mystery of vanishing car parking spaces at one of Oldham’s two remaining railway stations.

Middleton councillor Alan Godson protested that Mills Hill station in Chadderton — Greater Manchester’s second busiest unstaffed station — is missing from a list of 18 park and ride sites to be finished by 2012 in the county’s new £1.5 billion transport plans.

But he was told by GMPTE chief executive David Leather that Mills Hill had never been considered for extra car parking spaces.

Now the Support the Oldham, Rochdale & Manchester Rail Lines Group (STORM) want to meet transport bosses and Greater Manchester Integrated Transport Authority members from Oldham and Rochdale at the station to explain.

They also want to show them just how critical the parking situation has become there as even more passengers flock to the station following the closure of the Oldham Loop line.

Speaking to the Chronicle after a meeting of Greater Manchester Policy Committee, Councillor Godson said: “When they were trying to get the Transport Innovation Fund bid through, I am sure that they were promising extra car park spaces at Mills Hill. They are certainly needed.”

Investigations by the Chronicle have established that Mills Hill was indeed pinpointed in papers produced by the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities — as well as publicity material as a park and ride site. The consultation brochure which was delivered to every home stated: “Park and ride facilities will be improved and extended to provide an additional 1,800 spaces across the following stations: Stalybridge, Rochdale, Mills Hill, Horwich Parkway, Heald Green, Cheadle Hulme, Hazel Grove, and Romiley.

STORM member Richard Greenwood said: “The vital need for increased Park and Ride at Mills Hill has been recognised for 20 years or more. Surrounding roads are clogged with parked cars.”

And fellow member Dave Winter added: “Cars are now parking half on the pavement under the bridge at Mills Hill, making it difficult for other traffic, leaving little room to walk past.

“This was predictable once the Oldham Loop closed.”

The plans also include park and ride sites former stations which will become Metrolink stops at Oldham Mumps (300 spaces), Shaw (180), Hollinwood (200), and Derker (155).