Talks stall in search for parking solution

A PUBLIC meeting over parking concerns in Uppermill strived for a “magic pill” solution at the civic hall last night.

Around 50 residents and local businesses provided mixed and heated opinions on increasing parking problems at the gathering, arranged by Saddleworth Parish Council.

The issues raised follow the introduction of time-limited stays earlier this year on Oldham Council’s car parks.

Village locals are claiming visitors and workers are parking outside their properties for long periods of time — on some occasions for a day or two. Businesses and traders believe this is having a huge impact on the area’s commerce — with people staying away.

Chairman of the parish council, Councillor Bill Cullen, said: “Hopefully someone will have a magic pill and can fix this.”

But Lee Street resident, Gail Booth, said: “I don’t think there’s one magic pill, I think we need to look at extra parking spaces in and around the village.”

Chairman of the Saddleworth and Lees Traffic and Transport committee, Councillor Royce Franklin, said only three people in the area complained about the restrictive parking.

Several residents rubbished this, stating a thorough consultation had not been made during the original plans almost four years ago. And residents claim the current situation has worsened due to the closure of the civic hall car park. This has remained closed, due to dormant building work and safety concerns — but it could reopen later this year.

Councillor Jean Stretton, Oldham Council’s Cabinet member for neighbourhoods, was present only 24 hours after Saddleworth councillors raised concerns that she wouldn’t be able to attend. She cancelled other meetings to be there.

She concluded the meeting by saying: “There will be a review in September. A number of things that have been brought forward will now be considered as part of that review.”