Overcrowded Park and Ride in “desperate need of extension”

Rochdale Station's Park and Ride car park

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Rochdale station's Park and Ride service is in “desperate need of an extension” as cars over-spill into neighbouring streets, say campaigners.

Rail group STORM has said that new double yellow lines painted on Saturday (23 January) are a "slap in the face" to drivers forced to park elsewhere when the designated Park and Ride area is often full.

The service, intended for commuters so they can park their cars to use the Metrolink, is so overcrowded that vehicles have been seen parking on the pavements of Miall Street and Sarah Street.

Although such parking is not condoned by STORM, local campaigner Frank Salt says that it demonstrates how desperate the drivers are and that only an extension will solve the problem.

He added: “Money is tight, we know that, but on this occasion something really has to be done. They have to make more spaces. I was there on Monday 18 January and as usual, every single space was taken, apart from 12 disabled spots which were empty.

“The vehicles parking on the pavements are making matters much worse, they should know better really, but it does show what kind of situation we’re in.”

Steve Reay, Rochdale Borough Council’s head of highways, said: “Following a number of requests from local residents, yellow lines have been installed outside the recently re-opened subway at Rochdale Railway Station. Requests for further measures should be sent to the council’s highways department so that they can be considered.”