Row erupts over parking meeting

Saddleworth Parish Council
COUNCILLORS were outraged when they learned no-one from Oldham Council would be present at an important meeting over parking tonight.

Time restrictions were brought in on several car parks in Uppermill in February, to free spaces for visitors to the village.

But while some businesses believed it would help bring more trade to their shops, others were concerned their staff might be forced to park a long way from work.

Last month, Saddleworth Parish Council agreed to hold a meeting so residents and business owners could discuss the impact of the time limits.

Saddleworth and Lees District Partnership were invited along with Oldham Council Cabinet member Jean Stretton.

But yesterday the parish was informed Councillor Stretton would not be in attendance as she had made prior arrangements before an invitation to the meeting was issued.

The message also stated that the district partnership would be leading on the matter — as they do in other districts. The email confirmed that Royton’s district parking would be reviewed first, followed by a similar consultation process in the other districts.

Councillor Ken Hulme said: “We have got a responsibility. We are not a sub-committee of the council. We are the body that the people elect and they come to us first. If we can’t help them ourselves we need to make sure their views are heard.”

Councillors agreed to send a letter of reply and demand that Councillor Stretton’s deputy, Bernard Judge, attends the meeting.