Conservative leader's column: the housing crisis, roads and public transport, and the consultation to close Littleborough Railway Station's ticket office

John Taylor is the leader of the local Conservative party in Rochdale and a councillor for Wardle and West Littleborough.

This month he dedicates his column to discussing the housing crisis, roads and public transport, and the consultation to close Littleborough Railway Station's ticket office.

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It has been a very interesting and busy month starting off with the Local Government Association (LGA) conference in Bournemouth where I had the opportunity to meet with colleagues from across the country, listen to keynote political speakers including the Secretary of State for levelling up Michael Gove, deputy leader of the Labour Party Angela Rayner and raise the issue of road safety that I believe warrants intervention at a national level.

It was abundantly clear how the two major parties have widely differing approaches to addressing the housing crisis and I’m sure it will come as no surprise to anyone how I believe the government's approach is far better suited to towns and villages like ours when compared with Labour's alternative plan for the further destruction of our greenbelt.

There has been much lobbying of government over recent months about the best approach with house building on brownfield sites first and it is reassuring to know our collective Conservative voices have been heard and have made a difference too.

House building has been a significant issue throughout my time as an elected member and I cannot see that changing any time soon. It is also abundantly clear how the differing approaches between parties will be a major factor in next year’s general election and I believe that too is absolutely right.

The foundations for our government’s vision to build a better Britain lie within the redevelopment of existing brownfield sites across towns and cities first where infrastructure already exists and where the buildings of yesteryear are crying out for regeneration. I have been a long-time advocate for brownfield first and protecting our green spaces from the unwarranted destruction unnecessary house building brings.

The government’s approach is precisely that and it is an approach that will resonate with many.

Over recent years the redevelopment of Rochdale town centre has been excellent but there remains much to do before that work is anywhere near complete.

Lifestyles have changed, our towns and high streets must adapt to those changes and accommodate the dynamic requirements modern living demands. The removal of government targets for house building is the icing on the cake as it removes any ongoing pressure to build – something that plays into the hands of the developer.

It is worthy of mention though how Rochdale has surpassed its housing target in each of the last few years. I for one welcome this approach it seems ideally suited to towns like ours and it avoids the destruction of our villages where infrastructure-less development threatens the very quality of life that made them desirable in the first place.

A flexible approach to utilising former retail space for living makes absolute sense to me. Empty premises are everywhere and with a need for more housing, why wouldn’t you want to repurpose existing spaces now?

There is nothing worse than seeing empty, boarded-up premises that detract from the potential attractiveness of an area and become a magnet for anti-social behaviour. The programme for regenerating the town centre must continue and it must be utilised to address the current need for more living accommodation.

In contrast, Angela Raynor spoke about her plan to bring back housing targets and release much more greenbelt – I’m sure developers will be delighted to hear that as it effectively hands them the keys to rural destruction.

As you would expect, planning and house building dominated much of the debate in meetings with my national conservative counterparts and the LGA’s direct links to central government.

I did however, seize the opportunity to raise the ongoing problem we all face with dangerous driving and our inability locally to site speed cameras where we know they will be most effective – road safety (or threats to it) continues to be an issue affecting us all and I will always seek opportunities to address this.

My concerns were noted and I was assured they will be followed up. Only time will tell, but I will continue to bang on about this at every opportunity as long as it remains a community concern.

Speaking of roads, I was pleased to read this week how our Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is on the side of the motorist.  

I fully understand the drive towards active travel and its wide-ranging benefits from congestion to public health and I believe we should all do our bit in making active travel a success. I also acknowledge the value in developing an efficient low-cost public transport system but, to be honest, I simply couldn’t complete my daily business without the use of a car.

It is essential to meet my daily demands, without one I simply couldn’t do half of what I do and I really cannot see that changing in the foreseeable future. I’m sure I am not alone in singing the praises of the humble motor car and the added value it brings to the lives of many, especially in towns and villages such as ours.

The Prime Minister's review of Low Traffic Neighbourhoods is most welcome and we all saw the result of the Milkstone and Deeplish failed trial. I do not condone the criminality that led to the scheme being scrapped but the frustration it caused and detrimental impact on those directly affected was plain to see.

On occasions, it feels like the motorist is public enemy number one and the root of all evil when in fact it is what liberates many and provides the essential support needed in pursuit of daily living.

I cannot speak about transport without touching on the proposed closure of ticket offices at train stations. The ticket office at Littleborough is under threat of closure and reduced opening hours at Rochdale will have an impact too.

I am pleased to note that the period of public consultation has been extended until 1 September and it presents an opportunity for all members of our community to make sure their voices are heard by taking part in the consultation.

Any threat to public services must be taken very seriously and I for one have submitted my comments to be included in the process.

I feel very strongly about listening to the community voice and empowering communities to make a difference and I would encourage everyone to make sure their voice is heard by adding their thoughts to the consultation process by downloading the public consultation document and submitting their thoughts and considerations. I have included the email and postal addresses below. The more people who take part, the louder our community voice will be and the louder our voice, the more it will be heard.

To view the consultation, please visit Northern’s website: www.northernrailway.co.uk/consultation-2023

If you would like to comment on these proposals as part of this consultation please contact Transport Focus by 1 September 2023 using the details:

• Email: ticketoffice.Northern@transportfocus.org.uk
• Freepost: RTEH-XAGE-BYKZ, Transport Focus, PO Box 5594, Southend on Sea, SS1 9PZ

If your response relates to a certain station, please include the station name in your response.