Residents hit out at council over traffic congestion

Traffic chaos in the Milkstone and Deeplish area

Residents who live in Milkstone and Deeplish are growing seriously concerned that their pleas to the council about traffic congestion in the area are going unheard.

One local resident who contacted Rochdale Online described King Street East as a “van car park” and added: “This has been a growing problem over time but since the opening of the new cash and carry, it is just getting worse.”

http://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/88087/traffic-chaos-on-already-congested-streets

Residents have raised their concerns previously with the council and have asked them to conduct a traffic study. It is understood that the traffic study was undertaken last year, but the results were withheld from residents for some time.

http://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/96837/council-won%E2%80%99t-release-traffic-study-information-say-residents

The resident added: “At the last Area Forum meeting we were given a copy of the Milkstone Residents Area Traffic Study which was dated October 2014. They have sat on this report for almost a year and there has been no consultation. They have published the report and not consulted with anyone.”

Residents also fear that a proposed development opposite Castlemere Community Centre could increase the problem.

“We sent the council a petition following news of a new development opposite Castlemere Community Centre, which I think is for six flats and three shops, because we had concerns. They want to put balconies on the flats which will overlook our properties and have they not considered the congestion that not only the residents will bring, but people using the shops would bring”, added the resident.

Residents affected now want the Council to listen to their pleas, because they state that they “can’t take it any more.”

The resident added: “It is hazardous and we can’t take it any more. We know that the ward councillors are supporting residents but it seems like the officers are the ones who are dictating what happens. We have proposed ideas to the council about reopening Lower Tweedale Street so it is not a one way system but they haven’t listened and we don’t seem to be listened to at all.”

Mark Widdup, Director of Neighbourhoods at Rochdale Borough Council, said: “A traffic study, commissioned by Rochdale Township, was taken last year and a number of options were presented to the committee. Had one of these options been chosen, we would have consulted with local residents however it was decided not to progress any option.”