Concerns that new one way system is flawed

No Entry on Sarah Street

Chairman of rail group STORM, Richard Greenwood, has raised concerns in relation to a new one way system around the Rochdale train station car park.

No Entry signs were put in place on Wednesday 2 September on Sarah Street prohibiting cars exiting the new rail and Metrolink car park via the route onto Miall Street.

Mr Greenwood is now concerned that this new system is flawed as the alternative route offered to drivers is often blocked by lorries.

Mr Greenwood said: “The only alternative route away from the car park is via Hare Street. This route was blocked for an hour during the afternoon (Wednesday 2 September) by a large articulated lorry, whilst it was unloaded by a forklift truck.

“This is a regular occurrence and vehicles frequently park on both sides of Hare Street reducing the usable width of carriageway. This route is therefore going to be blocked time after time.

“I can only assume that the 'No Entry' signs have been erected as part of a much larger scheme, which is not ready for implementation yet and the signs should have been covered up for the time being.”

Mark Widdup, Director of Economy and Environment at Rochdale Borough Council, said: “Drivers of any vehicle should be considerate of other road users when parking as blocking the road could be considered an offence.

“The new, one-way system has been installed to improve traffic flows around the new car park, which has already improved parking issues in the area. As always, we will monitor the impact of this on traffic and make changes if required.”