Health centre parking chaos leads to outcry

PROBLEM area . . . double yellow lines have now been painted over to provide more parking in Macauley Street

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Bid to cure residents’ headache

RESIDENTS in Royton are being given the chance to have their say on parking proposals for car-clogged streets around the new NHS health centre.

There has been outcry among locals residents, angry that they are often unable to park near their homes despite attempts to alleviate the problems.

Letters outlining new proposals and seeking comments are now being sent out by Oldham Council to residents who live near the centre.

The initial scheme will include a mixture of no waiting at any time, no loading at any time, residents-only parking and limited stays of three hours.

Councillor Steven Bashforth has welcomed the move.

He said: “I’m pleased that this is the first step in getting something done but there is still a long way to go, we’re in a very very difficult situation.

“It’s just crazy at the moment.

“I wholeheartedly support residents’ parking bays so they can have their spaces protected.

“Land at Byron Street could be used to accommodate parking in the meantime, but we need a permanent solution.”

While there is space on other car parks in Royton, motorists are also parking on streets surrounding the health centre, making it difficult for residents to park near their homes.

Things could also be about to get worse as some of the town centre’s car parks will soon be restricted to a maximum stay of three hours, forcing workers to find alternative parking.

The Chronicle has been inundated with readers’ letters from locals complaining about the current situation.

Work is currently going on to create two disabled parking bays and three residents’ spaces outside the centre in Park Road.

Temporary double yellow lines, imposed while construction work took place, have also been painted over in Cardigan Street and Macauley Street.

The council insists that it is working with NHS Oldham to resolve the situation.

The roads covered by the proposals are Park Street, Macauley Street, Cardigan Street, Byron Street and Radcliffe Street.

Councillor John McCann, Cabinet member for regeneration and environment, said: “Our aim is to find a solution that is in the best interests of all the parties involved, residents, staff, patients and visitors to the district centre, and that is what we are proposing

“We now want to hear what people think because we will listen and take any views on board before anything is finalised.”

A drop-in session is being held tomorrow, between 3 and 7pm, in the health centre reception for residents to speak to officers and ask questions about the plans.

Alternatively contact the Unity Partnership on 07403-144811 for clarification.