Postbag: Uppermill Parking
Local residents at last month's public meeting.
The debate over parking in Uppermill has continued here on Saddleworth News, ever since last month’s public meeting in the Civic Hall about the issue.
The meeting was organised by Saddleworth Parish Council, ahead of September’s review by Oldham Council of the time limits introduced on most Uppermill car parks earlier this year.
The restrictions were imposed to try to help the village economy by preventing drivers hogging spaces for long periods. But residents of Lee Street and Court Street in particular have complained that their streets have effectively become car parks for drivers displaced by the changes.
If you want to submit your comments to the review, e-mail Oldham Council official Pauline Phillips at the following address: pauline.phillips@oldham.gov.uk
Plenty of you have used this website to air your opinions, in a long and thoughtful discussion which has been taking place here below the Saddleworth News coverage of the meeting. Here’s a selection of those views:
Ian wrote that the time limits were hitting trade in the village: “Uppermill isn’t anywhere near as busy as it once was. Ask most shop owners and they will confirm this.” He also backed Cllr Ken Hulme’s call for a lifting of the restrictions during the gas main replacement works on the High Street.
Residents of Lee Street have been left frustrated.
John from Greenfield said: “I would stick my neck out and say the swimming baths car park must be ideal if you work in the area, surely if it means more business comes into the area you can put up with a 5-10 min walk from the car park? Only solution to force this habit though would be residents-only parking on the streets central to Uppermill.”
Liz suggested: “Why not make the streets where residents are concerned “residents only” overnight, say between 7 or 8pm and 10am? That way there would be space for shoppers during the day and for residents at night.”
Ilparata took issue with the outspoken Lee Street residents: “I fail to see what the issue is from the people of Lee Street. It’s a public road. Anyone who wants to park in front of your house can do so. It’s not far from Lee Street to the baths car park either, why not leave your car there?”
George commented: “The only people whingeing are those who can’t be arsed to walk a little bit further than they used to. I used to use the car parks all day while working in Uppermill, because I could. Now I can’t, so I park further away and walk to work.”
Nick Watts, an Uppermill resident who raised a petition against the original imposition of the restrictions, said: “There is absolutely no way the restrictions should have been implemented without a proper public consultation. I do hope both Saddleworth Parish and Oldham Borough Council take heed of the feedback they’re receiving and do something positive to help the community rather than weaken and divide us.”
Simon Mayer added: “Whilst some businesses rely on nearby staff parking and free long-stay customer parking, many will also benefit from customers being able to pop in, make a purchase and quickly leave… I think it would be short-sighted to leave Uppermill without at least one central short-stay car park.”
Many thanks for those comments, do keep them coming. And a reminder that if you want to express your views to Oldham Council, please use the following e-mail address: pauline.phillips@oldham.gov.uk
Author: Jude Gidney - Editor
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