Businesses fear cycle lane will put them out of business

Businesses who are operating from the tramway offices on Mellor Street in Rochdale are worried that a new cycle lane put in place by Rochdale Council will damage their businesses.

The cycle lane was agreed as part of a new housing development which is located opposite to the tramway offices.

Business are now worried that due to the new cycle lane customers will have nowhere to park and staff will not be able to carry out business.

Aubrey Oldham, who operates from the offices, said: “We have customers and clients who now have nowhere to park.”

It is understood that Rochdale Council informed residents of the newly built houses regarding the cycle lane but Aubrey says that businesses were not informed of the council’s plans.

He said: “Non of the businesses on this stretch of road were aware, neither had they received notification from Rochdale Planning so how are we supposed to object if we are not aware of the scheme?”

The cycle lane order was advertised on 19 September 2012 with no objections to the plans being made. The order was then sealed on 10 December 2012 and was put in to place as part of the transport assessment for the residential development on the old Alexander Drew site.

The lane was marked approximately three weeks ago with the aim of the cycle lane being to reduce the need to travel by car and to promote accessibility to more sustainable transport choices such as cycling.

Aubrey added: “As far as reducing transport, I have to deliver my products to customers all over the North West. Am I supposed to do this on a push bike? I have to use my own transport as I have to commute to meet customers and look for new business.”

A spokesperson for Rochdale Borough Council said: “The developer agreed to fund a cycle lane to make cycling easier in the area. This is in line with the borough’s transport strategy which promotes accessibility to more sustainable transport choices.

“The cycle lane order was advertised on street and in the press, with no one objecting to the proposals.

"While the council strives to maintain and improve accessibility for businesses where the road network allows, the highway is for the passage of people and we are unable to provide on street parking at this location.”

Aubrey now fears that this is the final nail in the coffin for businesses in the offices. He added: “Struggling to stay in business throughout the recession is hard enough and this is just another nail in our coffin. I have seen two bikes on the cycle way in over a week now. It’s no wonder businesses in Rochdale are closing down.”