Hopper comes a cropper

Saddleworth Parish Council

THE Saddleworth hopper tourist bus will be ditched after the parish council service made only £4 a week.

Last night’s meeting heard that 392 people used the bus that acted as a park and ride between Greenfield station, Uppermill and Dovestone over the 15-weeks the hopper operated.

Costing a total of over £11,000, the service ran at weekends with travel free for those with a valid train ticket and for the over 60s.

But with only 60 paying customers, the service made just £60 in return.

Councillor John Hudson said: “I think it was a good a thing, but it didn’t work.

“The team did a good job, but unfortunately, the interest just wasn’t there.”

Councillor Ken Hulme praised the team for their ideas and efforts but said the option of making it a completely free service should be explored.


Parking limits clash

COUNCILLORS clashed over imminent restrictions to parking in Uppermill.

Time-limiting restrictions on the village’s car parks will take effect from January 31.

Councillor Ken Hulme expressed worries that he thought Oldham Council would introduce charges in attempt to make money from parking in the future.

“Uppermill is in danger of drifting into being a district centre that looks very urban and over-regulated.”

Councillor Royce Franklyn said letters had gone out to a large number of streets in Uppermill regarding a resident’s parking scheme, and would only be implemented if over 50 per cent of the respondents were in support.

However, Councillor Hudson said he thought it was above the jurisdiction of the parish traffic subgroup to make such a decision.

Councillor Alma McInnes said: “None of us had been informed that these letters were going out and I was very concerned that this had happened.

“I hope that nothing is done about parking permits until it has been properly discussed.”