Paving protestors on the warpath

Councillor hits out at ‘selfish’ motorists

MOTORISTS looking for parking places have angered conservationists by damaging newly-laid pavements in Lydgate.

As part of a scheme to ‘Love Lydgate’, new paving stones have been laid near the village green as one of the first steps to spruce up the area’s image.

Now local community champion, Councillor Barbara Beeley, has hit out after several of the expensive York stone slabs have been cracked.

Councillor Beeley said: “I am more than a little angry. The stones had only been laid a few days but residents say they have already been broken by thoughtless, selfish people parking or driving over them.”

Some of the stones at Stockport Road near the village green at St Anne’s Church have hairline cracks and other have had their edges crushed.

Councillor Beeley added: “I know the road is narrow and parking difficult, but I would expect people to respond to the environment in any area whether it is one in which they live or not, and park away from the centre and walk.

“The stones are simply not designed for people to park on. It’s a shame.”

Fellow OMBC Councillor John McCann said: “It’s upsetting this has happened.

“We are doing everything to support residents in raising Lydgate’s game. Attractive walkways are part of that feature.”

Uppermill police have received complaints about vehicles parking fully on the pavements in Stockport Road, causing damage to paving and forcing pedestrians, wheelchair-users and parents with pushchairs on to the road.

And villager Ian Merckel has taken up the issue with the council, who are promising to make an inspection and find a remedy.

He said: “The new pavements are splendid and I am hoping the cracked stones can be repaired to prevent it happening again.”

Police are planning to circulate residents in the area in an effort to highlight the problem. Meanwhile, they urge anyone with a neighbourhood policing issue to contact them at the Saddleworth office number, 0161 856 4523 or 0161 856 4524.