Plans for residents parking at lake

Councillor Peter Evans

Consultation is underway regarding the introduction of a resident’s parking permit scheme in residential areas around Hollingworth Lake.

The move comes following complaints by residents at the Pennines Township Committee because visitors to the lake often park in the residential areas and indiscriminately parked vehicles can block the way for emergency services attending incidents.

Previous consultations on similar proposals have resulted in a divide between the residents with some wanting the permits and others not.

The Resident’s Parking Scheme will be split into 4 parking zones:

• Bridge Bank Road zone 
• Brown Lodge Street zone 
• Cleggswood Avenue zone 
• Milbury Drive zone

Residents will be provided with one permit each and can also apply for one visitor permit.

The council is also planning to change the current parking restrictions on Lake Bank to a 'no waiting at any time' restriction to help traffic flow and improve safety.

It will also be necessary to introduce double yellow lines at some junctions within certain zones. The restrictions will be to prevent parking at/near junctions.

A spokesperson for Rochdale Borough Council said: “The township committee has requested that notice should be given to residents of proposed orders for a residents' parking scheme.

“The orders will give residents a chance to see how the scheme will work in detail and provide a final opportunity to comment either for or against the proposed scheme.

“These views will then enable committee members to make a more informed decision and address their concern that not enough residents had commented on the proposals during earlier consultation.

“Leaflets have been distributed to residents, and all comments must be received by 28th January 2011. These will be presented to a future township committee meeting, which will decide whether or not to proceed with the schemes.”

Littleborough lakeside Councillor, Peter Evans, said people living in the area are “furious” with the plans.

He said: “The scheme that has been proposed is totally incompatible for what is needed at Hollingworth Lake.

“The argument up here is when there isn’t nice weather and lots of people aren’t visiting, then it isn’t a problem.

“People are angry. Every person that has spoke to me and that is a lot are furious. Nothing has changed; it didn’t get approval in the past so why are they rolling this scheme out?

“The people that have looked at it don’t want it.”

If you are opposed to the introduction of a Residents Permit Holders scheme or to the proposed waiting restrictions on Lake Bank contact the council by email or by post clearly stating which scheme you object to: 

Email: trafficorders@impactpartnership.com

Network Management
Floor 3
Municipal Offices
Smith Street
Rochdale
OL16 1LQ

Closing date: Friday 28 January 2011