‘Cone-crazy council’ hits funfair trade
Date published: 06 April 2010
OLDHAM Council has gone cone crazy in a bid to keep motorists safe, according to the promoter of a Failsworth fun fair.
John Silcock, who runs Daisy Nook Fair, has hit out at council officers who have lined Stannybrook Road with thousands of cones to prevent visitors parking.
Mr Silcock said: “I could understand the parking restrictions when the road was just a dirt track but it is now a proper road and you could park wagons on either side and still have room for free-flowing traffic.
“If the council think the problem is that bad then why don’t they paint yellow lines on it? The park is just as busy during the school holidays and they don’t bother with the cones then.
“I have never seen so many cones in my life and they go along Stannybrook Road on the Failsworth side and the Ashton side. Visitors to the fair have to park miles away and walk so these cones are really affecting trade. It is health and safety gone mad.”
Elaine McLean, executive director for economy, places and skills, said: “Daisy Nook Fair is an annual family event attracting a huge following from around the region.
“The area experiences its highest peak of visitors at this point and, naturally, that causes a range of traffic-management problems. These include the closure of Stannybrook Road and waiting restrictions on the approach roads which carry diverted traffic. Throughout that time the safety of the public has to be our overriding priority and our plans are implemented in conjunction with Greater Manchester Police.
“Stannybrook Road is also a narrow and twisting lane. There are double yellow lines on the northern section of the road and a double white line system is in operation on the bends.
“This is to prevent overtaking but also prevents people from parking and worsening an obstruction. Although the footpaths have recently been resurfaced there has been no widening of the carriageway.”
Daisy Nook Fair is a long-standing tradition in Oldham that began with mill workers taking a picnic to the park. Over the years, the event has increased in size and families can enjoy a fun fair and attractions until Saturday.
