Sparks fly over parking

SADDLEWORTH PARISH COUNCIL
PARISH councillors disagreed over plans to create an official parking area for cars on Chapel Road in Greenfield.

Councillor Royce Franklin suggested that as part of dry-stone wall work on the road, markings could be installed to create a full lane of parking and two lanes for traffic.

However, Councillor John Hudson said: “This is not a suitable thing to do.

“We’ve had this once before and it caused chaos, I even objected to it being used during the Saddleworth show.”

But Councillor Brian Lord pointed out that cars already line one side of the street regardless.

He said that parking is a premium in Saddleworth and that the road is wide enough to accommodate an official parking lane, adding that it would stop speeding drivers blasting down the street.

Other councillors argued that more facts were needed, with some expressing dismay at the current situation where cars park on both sides of the road.

Councillor Ken Hulme said that local councillors and residents’ associations should be properly consulted, while others questioned the safety of such a scheme.

It was decided that a proposal be put to the council and the possibility explored when more detail is available.