New parking deal gets green light

It’s taken six years but Oldham Council is about to finally sign the contract for its parking services with Parking Plus.

The first company to take over parking regulations in Oldham when they stopped being a police matter was Euro Car Parks, which had a three-year contract with the council.

But the Manchester company was criticised for being too quick to target motorists and for victimisation. It was dropped in 2004. Oldham took on NCP and began planning a joint venture company and new contract. Negotiations have been going on ever since — by 2006 councillors were told the signing was imminent.

NCP is now NSL Ltd, and has been carrying out the car park management and enforcement for six years via a management agreement. But next week councillors will finally be asked to approve the contract, which will create a new company and run until 2019. The joint venture deal will cover on-street parking, car parks, parking enforcement and improvements to car parks.

It will also include additional services and bailiff duties.

Councillor Mark Alcock said the new company will be good for Oldham’s finances.

The contract will be discussed in private by Cabinet members because commercial details are being kept confidential.

He said: “It has taken a long time and I am really glad we have managed to sort it out. The good service we have been getting will continue and the borough will benefit financially.

“Since we (the Liberal Democrat administration) got involved, we started looking into this and have been pushing to get this contract. This is a better deal.”