Anger Over Uppermill Parking Plans

Uppermill. It's hoped time limits on parking will help boost trade in local shops.

Concern is growing in Uppermill over plans to impose time limits on car parks in the centre of the village. The idea has been put forward by Oldham Council as a way of freeing up more parking in Uppermill for visitors and shoppers, as the high street faces competition from the impending new Tesco in Greenfield.

Nick Watts, who runs internet services, IT support and photography business Urban Haze from his Uppermill home, outlined his worries about the idea in a recent letter to Saddleworth News. He wrote: “I believe the proposed restrictions create a very large problem affecting many people in the village… If these restrictions are enforced, we will face nowhere to park our vehicles during the day, except to interrupt our business several times a day and move them.”

Mr Watts has begun a petition against the plans both online and in several shops in the village, and more than 200 people have signed up in just three days. He said he hadn’t heard anything about the proposals from either the parish or borough council, and only found out when the planned changes were mentioned during this month’s Saddleworth News TV bulletin (to view that click here).

The proposals were worked on during 2009 and early 2010 by councillors from both the parish and borough, along with officials from Unity Partnership, the public/private venture which handles this sort of work for Oldham Council. The council announced in May that the car parks at Smithy Lane, the Hare and Hounds, and the King George V playing fields would have a two-hour limit, with a three-hour restriction on the museum car park. The council pointed out that the car park near the leisure centre above Uppermill would remain free.

It was expected then that the restrictions would take effect during the summer. However, that hasn’t happened, and the council has now said that the final decision won’t be taken until a meeting of the Traffic Management Panel next month.

Kashif Ali: "long-standing concerns"

Mr Watts has written to local politicians outlining his concerns, and has received a response from Kashif Ali, who is due to stand again for the Conservatives in the expected Oldham East and Saddleworth by-election. Mr Ali wrote: “I have had long-standing concerns about the way Oldham Council makes decisions, particularly in relation to embracing “meaningful, comprehensive and effective” public consultation.”

He continued: “In this case it seems clear that there is significant opposition to the proposals. There may also be considerable support. It is precisely for this reason that there should be “meaningful” consultation  before any decision is finalised. For example, I would wholly support a public meeting taking place  with plenty of local notice to residents and businesses before any decision is made.”

Mr Watts added: “We just want to have an opportunity to be heard before it’s forced upon us. It should be done democratically, not sneakily without anyone telling us what’s going on.”

He went on: “I’ve been out and about in the village for the past few days collecting signatures, and these are genuinely concerned people who want to be heard. I’d like to overturn it first, then establish a consultation so everyone can talk about the problems and work something out.”

A lively debate has been taking place in the comments beneath Mr Watts’ letter to this website, which was published on Friday. Satyr Lucretia from Greenfield said: “I agree that finding a parking space is murder. Couldn’t some sort of free permit system for Uppermill residents and business owners be introduced? Residents need to, and have the right to park where they live. Business owners also need to park. If they can’t, there will be no businesses for people to visit.”

Cllr Ken Hulme: "hidden agenda"

David Wheeler argued: “Parking has long been an issue, but if the people who run the business are taking up parking places then customers will drive on elsewhere. The business owners do need to move on to allow short stay shoppers time to shop, spend money locally and move on.”

Andrew from Uppermill commented: “When doing my usual run around up Court Street, down Lee Street, in and out of the museum car park, in and out of the playing fields, you always spot other cars doing the same futile journey! A new large car park needs to be found and residents should not be parking in the village car parks for free!”

Delph-based parish councillor Ken Hulme said: “Once Oldham Council get this scheme adopted its the foot in the door and parking charges will follow like night follows day. There is always a hidden agenda especially for a cash strapped council.”

Paul Hughes added: “I can see both sides of the argument. I live in Grasscroft, and so if I need go for a quick shop, the difficulty of parking in Uppermill will reluctantly point me towards Tesco. However, I can see the problem that residents and business owners will have with time limits on the car parks. Surely, though, it can’t be beyond the wit of man (or OMBC) to create some sort of permit system which will allow residents/businesses a longer time limit.”

Oldham Council didn’t have anything to add to its earlier statements on the issue, beyond saying no decision would be taken until the panel meets next month. Back in May, Elaine McLean, Executive Director of Economy, Places and Skills at the council, said in a press release: “These new measures will guarantee a turnover of spaces for residents and visitors to our district centres, which will encourage more people to shop within their local community.”

She continued: “Previously we had people parking up and leaving their vehicles all day meaning visitors to the district centres were finding it difficult to locate a space. This scheme will also boost local businesses and we will be issuing parking permits to firms where the need is identified.”

To read Nick Watts’ original letter and see the comments beneath it, click here. You can see his website and petition here.

Author: Jude Gidney - Editor

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