Concerns over maintenance of areas connected to Kingsway Business Park

Councillor Dale Mulgrew and Paul Rowen pointing out the mess on Lower Lane

Concerns have been raised about the maintenance of areas connected to the Kingsway Business Park following complaints from residents about rubbish and illicit activities taking place.

The areas in question include the Lower Lane junction with the Southern Loop Road of the business park, the Stiups Lane side of the park and the gravel pedestrian thoroughfares.

Councillor Dale Mulgrew and Balderstone and Kirkholt election candidate Paul Rowen visited the area and considered it to be “unpleasant.”

The Kingsway Business Park is a collaboration between the Rochdale Development Agency and Wilson Bowden.

Councillor Mulgrew has called on the ‘responsible parties’ to take action and clean up the areas as he feels that the problems fly in the face of a ‘community pledge’ that the site’s owners made when the Business Park was first proposed.

“One of the supposed community benefits from the development of Kingsway was an enhanced recreational space for local residents who live in the neighbouring districts and who had to sacrifice a lot for what was seen as a progressive step for the town,” said Councillor Mulgrew.

He continued: "However, while we await for the business park to grow, the community should at the very least have a commitment by the Park’s owners to ensure that the community spaces are kept clean and attractive.

“Otherwise, the original community pledges are not being adhered to.”

Paul Rowen added: “The Rochdale development Agency and Wilson Bowden need to maintain the site to more of a high standard, and frankly from what I saw this is not happening. They need to keep on top of this and also come up with a community strategy that keeps local people informed and involved.”

The Kingsway Management Company operating on behalf of the Kingsway Partnership (a collaboration between Wilson Bowden Developments, North West Development Agency (NWDA), Rochdale Council and the Rochdale Development Agency) released a statement regarding the concerns.

The statement concluded that the management company are aware of the concerns about fly tipping.

It read: “We can reassure councillors and residents that the condition of the area is taken very seriously and measures are in place to monitor the condition of the area and wherever possible to tackle fly tipping and general untidiness as it happens.

“In fact from next month there will be a full time presence on the business park to maintain the landscaping and open areas which will help in identifying instances of fly tipping.”

The statement added that give the size of the site (420 acres) there have been relatively few problems of this nature. The management company recognised that come problems have been experienced recently following the illegal occupation of the site by travellers.

The statement concluded: “The Partnership is working with the Council to see if measures can be adopted to help control the problem and are happy to address the concerns of local councillors and residents.

“The Kingsway Partnership want to work with residents.”