'Disappointment' as MP misses out Kirkholt visit

Simon Danczuk

Kirkholt Councillors have been left ‘bitterly disappointed’ after Rochdale’s MP, Simon Danczuk, missed out the area on a recent Select Committee visit – despite publicly stating the estate would be one of the items on the itinerary.

Members of the Select Committee for Regeneration, which includes Mr Danczuk, visited the borough on Monday (13 June) as part of a two day trip in Greater Manchester to see regeneration projects

The group of MPs toured sites such as the town centre and Kingsway Business Park, but didn’t visit Kirkholt.

Councillors Dale Mulgrew and Pat Colclough had initially welcomed the visit because they felt it would put a national spotlight on the estate.

However, when they heard of the visit's schedule, they were bitterly disappointed that it did not include Kirkholt.

Councillor Colclough said: "We certainly welcome any group of MPs who want to visit the Kirkholt estate. Especially if they can help wield influence on ensuring that the regeneration process continues to make progress.

"However, one can only be disappointed that Rochdale's MP could not advise his colleagues to visit the Kirkholt estate, especially since he stated so publicly that this was to be part of the tour.

“Kirkholt is one of the major regeneration programme's for the town.

“Although projects have started, and are ongoing, there needs to be more done in the future."

Councillor Mulgrew added: "I cannot help but get confused when I hear that our MP wants to show his fellow MPs around Kirkholt and then I hear that the estate is not even on the visit's itinerary?"

"I know our MP is a very busy man. But he was not exactly quiet about welcoming such senior visitors beforehand. This would have led Kirkholt residents to think that our MP had persuaded such important guests to spend some time examining the regeneration of the estate.”

"Like many people, I want to give our MP the benefit of the doubt - I know for such packed trips it is difficult to squeeze in everything. But one wonders how many more times we will read about pledges offered, with little or no delivery as a result?"

Mr Danczuk failed to respond to an invitation to comment.