Rochdale boat builders worried about Metrolink plans

Chartered surveyor Mike Redshaw with his client Norma Brown of Honnor Marine Ltd

A Rochdale business owner has raised concerns over the Metrolink plans and what it means for her firm.

Norma Brown, and her husband Bob Brown run Honnor Marine Ltd which is based on Miall Street close to Rochdale Train Station.

When the Metrolink arrives in Rochdale in the spring of 2012 it is likely to have a park and ride facility.

If a decision is made to incorporate a park and ride system at the Metrolink stop, currently Rochdale Train Station, is approved then the site of Honnor Marine Ltd will be used as the car park.

Mrs Brown said: “We are very worried what this will mean for us, we have 12 qualified employed staff who need to know what is happening.

“If we need to move then we need to know so we can get organised and relocate but at the moment we aren’t being told anything.”

The firm builds boats and takes part in many festivals which they need to organise and carry out work for.

Mrs Brown continued: “The people behind us have already gone.

“This is of a great concern to us and other local businesses – we just don’t know what is going to happen.

“We are being left high and dry. We will have decisions to make and we need to know. All the little things we do such as buying in bulk will need to be considered.

“We are in such a prime location here we are right between the M1 and the M6, we don’t want to be stuck away in a back end somewhere.”

Plans to use a park and ride scheme are currently on hold.

Mrs Brown raised the concern at a networking lunch were a presentation on the Metrolink was shown by Liz West from GMPTE.

Ms West agreed to make some enquiries and point Mr and Mrs Brown in the right direction of who to speak to following the meeting.

Mike Redshaw of Nolan Redshaw Chartered surveyors is representing the Browns.

He said: “It is very frustrating for both us and our clients when no clear timetable has been put forward by GMPTE or the local authority.

“Therefore we can’t advise our clients how to plan for the future. If for example there was a timetable of 3, 4 or more years they would have chance to move.

“However, as it stands no one has spoken to Norma and Bob.”

Mr Redshaw explained that proposals show that the park and ride site situated where Honnor Marine Ltd is currently located.

Councillor Dale Mulgrew has highlighted current parking issues at the train station and explained that there are hopes for a park and ride facility with spaces for 140 cars.

He explained that the park and ride facility is a part of a set of proposals and it is currently under consideration. 

Councillor Mulgrew said: “It is a proposal, it isn’t crystallised yet and there are a number of options.

“I think for the public of Rochdale we need to consider the park and ride facility and I think that is something everyone will agree on, to enhance the train station into a Metrolink stop we must recognise that we need better parking, full stop.

“Naturally the considerations of the layout and the train station improvements will have ramifications for businesses.

“There will be options for local businesses and if the businesses do need to relocate or look at new locations then obviously there will be discussions for that.” 

GMPTE were unavailable for comment at the time of publication.