Planned parking limits split village

MIXED opinions . . . pictured (from the left) petition organiser Nick Watts, Councillor Ken Hulme, Tom Wickert and Tracey Wagner, from A Month of Sundaes, and Peter Mills, from Saddleworth Travel

A PETITION calling for the council to scrap plans for parking restrictions in Uppermill is gaining steam after the organiser took to the streets to boost his campaign.

Nick Watts, owner of Uppermill IT company Urban Haze, is fighting plans to introduce maximum stays on the three village car parks, limiting parking seven days a week. He argues that a lack of consultation has resulted in locals being left in the dark.

He said: “I’ve now got over 700 signatures. I’m collecting as we speak and I don’t know where it will stop. Even if Oldham Council will not listen to it, it is still important for people to show they have feelings about this.

“I think there should be reasonable opportunity for proper consultation.

“The council say they are doing this because businesses want it. I haven’t had the opportunity to speak to all of the businesses but four to one majority of people I have asked don’t want these restrictions.”

Parking will remain free and stays unrestricted at the Saddleworth pool. The scheme is not without support from other local businesses, who think that will increase the turnover of shoppers.

Tracey Wagner, owner of ice-cream parlour A Month Of Sundaes that opened in the village in May, supports the plans.

She carried out a survey of cars parking on the museum car park between 11am and 3pm and found that out of 36 cars, only eight moved within those hours.

A total of 54 cars drove on and off the car park after failing to find a spot.

Tracey, who also owns another shop in Marsden, said: “I chose Uppermill to expand because at first glance it looks like a busy village, but you realise that there is a lot of traffic and the same cars are going around hunting for a space.

“One person told me they had tried for 40 minutes. It’s frustrating, these are potential customers. You can’t have all-day parking, especially in such a small village.”

Councillor Ken Hulme joined the debate on village streets, saying: “This number of people backing a petition ought to set the alarm bells ringing and seriously concern any elected councillor. It illustrates a major failing in public consultation by Oldham and Saddleworth councils.”

The petition has also sparked a row between Mr Watts and members of the Saddleworth Parish Council, who acted as an advisory body and recommended that the measures be introduced by Oldham Council.

Councillor Bill Cullen said: “This has been going on since 2008 when we circulated a questionnaire for the Parish Plan, which showed 67 per cent, roughly 820 people, supported the idea of limiting parking.

“We have already asked the people of Saddleworth, how many more do we want?

“How many petitions and consultations do we have until we actually go forward and do something?”

Mr Watts and the Conservative candidate in the Oldham East and Saddleworth by-election, Kashif Ali, are now making calls for the decision by the independent Traffic Regulation Order Panel to be delayed.

A decision on the matter is due to be discussed at a meeting tonight .

The petition can also be found at uppermillparking.co.uk, a website created by Mr Watts.