Have a say on controversial parking plans

OLDHAM Council is set to launch a new consultation over the future of car parking in Royton centre.

Businesses near Royton precinct were furious and claimed there was no local consultation when the authority first announced there would be two and three-hour restricted parking from 8am to 6pm daily.

Of 1,000 people who did complete a consultation-style questionnaire, 997 said they did not want to see parking restrictions of any kind in Royton.

The council now says it will hold a consultation period with local residents, businesses and visitors to Royton about the proposed revamped changes from September 20 to October 7, 2011.

The new Royton scheme aims to create more long-stay parking and also make it easier for people to access the shops, services and health centre.

New arrangements could mean Royton precinct changes from 58 short and 71 long to 129 long-stay spaces, while Byron Street would have a temporary car park at the former school site.

But no changes would be made to existing parking arrangements at King Street (48 short-stay spaces) and Park Street (40 long-stay spaces).

Ward members and council officers will be hosting a stall in Royton Market on Thursday, September 22, to hear residents’ views. People will also able to collect a questionnaire from Royton Health Centre.

Councillor Jean Stretton said: “We have listened to the public about a range of issues following the initial introduction of new parking arrangements earlier this year.

“A similar review process will also be undertaken across other affected district centres later this year.

“These new proposals for Royton are based on the feedback we received and we are now very keen to hear the views of local residents, businesses and visitors on this amended plan.

“The consultation process will see packs distributed to shops and businesses in the precinct and surrounding roads.

“We must ensure that we strike a balance between enabling quick visits to local businesses and services while also continuing to offer sufficient long-stay parking.”

But Craig Simpson, who runs Sparkles play centre in Royton, said: “We are sticking together as traders. We were told before the elections that if Labour got into power, there would be free and unrestricted parking everywhere in Royton.

“We don’t want short-stay spaces in King Street — the traders there will not be happy about this at all as they have been campaigning with us.”