Proposed changes to parking outside Spotland Library

Proposed changes to parking outside Spotland Library

Philip Massey, the chairman of Spotland and Falinge Area Forum, says  proposed changes to parking outside Spotland Library "could be the end of this very well used community facility".

Mr Massey explained: “If plans get the go ahead it will mean that there is no parking for cars at all on the library side of Ings Lane. The council is proposing to make parking on Ings Lane illegal for anything but coaches/buses 24 hours a day, seven days a week. There will be just a single disabled bay left for one car to park in front of the library.

"When I called into the library last Friday it was packed with parents and toddlers attending a rhythm and rhyme event, all having a fantastic time. Cars were parked all the way down past Innes Close, in space that should this proposal not be overturned, it would be illegal to park a car in.

"The library is a well-attended community hub used five days a week for various events, in addition to the many local residents who use the libraries traditional services every day.

"This parking proposal would make visiting the library very inconvenient for many of the people who use it.

"If enough people object to this proposal that threatens the future of Spotland Library it can be overturned, and replaced with a more suitable proposal that won't affect the library and local residents.

"The reason for the bus bays is to provide a facility for away coaches to a park for the stadium. Hudson's Walk is much more suitable for this with a turn around already in place for coaches to use.

"The library is well attended five days a week, all year round.

"The stadium is used 25 - 35 times per year, and only three/four times per year does the number of visiting coaches require any special conditions.

"It would be crazy to damage the library with these 24 hour bus bays that would only ever be used when the library is closed anyway."

Andrew Storey, head of Highways at Rochdale Borough Council, said: “We are proposing to dedicate a section of Ings Lane to coach and bus parking only because of its proximity to the away stand, which would enable easier management of away crowds on match days.

“The proposal is supported by the local stadium safety advisory group and the police.

“Under the current proposal, car parking will still be available on the opposite side of Ings Lane.

“It should be stressed that this proposal is currently at consultation stage and members of the public can feed into the consultation by:

Emailing: trafficorders@rochdale.gov.uk

or in writing quoting H60/1242:

Highways Team, Floor 2, Number Riverside, Smith Street, Rochdale.

The consultation will end at midnight on 7 June.

Objections to this proposal must be made prior to Wednesday 7 June.

Proposed changes to parking outside Spotland Library: H60/1242 - Ings Lane/Sandy Lane

http://www.rochdale.gov.uk/parking-roads-and-transport/Pages/traffic-regulation-orders.aspx