Parking plans could stop Heywood being used as ‘massive park and ride’

Parking in Heywood town centre could be restricted to three hours in a bid to stop commuters using it as a ‘massive park and ride scheme’.

The proposed new time limit would be apply to a trio of car parks in the heart of the town – Heywood Civic Centre, Taylor Street and Hill Street.

Members of Heywood Township Committee are expected to approve the scheme on Monday evening, despite a number of objections being lodged during the consultation period.

A council report says there is ‘no compelling reason’ to change the proposals, as they would achieve the committee’s aim of freeing up spaces which are currently hogged by commuters’ vehicles.

Councillor Liam O’Rourke, who sits on Heywood Township Committee, said he backed the plans.

He said: “One of the things residents frequently complain to councillors about is that they can’t park in Heywood town centre because people are parking there in the morning then jumping on a bus to Manchester – turning Heywood into a massive park and ride scheme.

“It made it impossible for local shoppers to take advantage of local shops – they couldn’t use Heywood town centre as a result.”

If approved, the three hour limit will be in force from Monday to Friday between the hours of 8am and 6pm.

Councillor O’Rourke, who represents the North Heywood ward, added: “We are hoping three hours will be enough for the vast majority of people who want to use Heywood town centre for shopping purposes.

“But it also stops people taking advantage of the town centre as a park and ride scheme –  and not contributing to the local economy as a result.”

Objections raised during the consultation included concerns that commuters would instead park on residential streets – particularly those near Heywood Civic Centre – causing  inconvenience for those who live there.

Councillor O’Rourke agreed councillors would have to be ‘vigilant’ to make sure this did not become a problem for residents – but did not foresee it causing significant issues.

He said: “I don’t think it will be a major problem. It will encourage people to use the proper park and ride schemes that are out there, not just in Rochdale but the Greater Manchester conurbation.

“That has to be our priority, to help the town centre and to make sure that shoppers in Heywood and outside that want to use the town centre have the ability to park there.”

Concerns were also raised that the new scheme could ‘cause operational difficulties for businesses it is intended to help’ – possibly prompting some to move out of the town centre.

Other issues raised including staff not being able to park near their place of employment, and problems for businesses ‘where customer visits do last more than three hours’.

Councillor O’Rourke – also Rochdale Council’s cabinet member for resources – said: “I think certainly the traders I have spoken to are behind it.

“They want the increased footfall and while people are parking there between 8am and 6pm and getting the bus from Manchester evidently they are not getting that footfall.”

He said the move would also give people greater opportunity to enjoy town centre attractions such as the Memorial Gardens.

Nick Statham, Local Democracy Reporter