Calls for new car park in Kirkholt

Residents of a Kirkholt neighbourhood who are getting fed up with the increasingly difficult parking situation in their area have backed calls for a new car park.

Parking issues have started to develop for residents who live on Great Gates Road between the entrance to the Holy Family primary School and Balderstone Road.

Councillors Dale Mulgrew and Pat Colclough have conducted a survey of the neighbourhood and managed to speak to the majority of local residents affected who agreed that a piece of open space should be converted to a car park.

The Councillors have now requested a technical proposal by developed for a new car park.

Councillor Pat Colclough said: “The parking situation on Great Gates Road has deteriorated over the last year or so and this is not just related to the fact that there is a primary school in the area.

“The road width is narrow - and there are already parking restrictions in play to protect not just the school entrance, but also the safe passage of vehicles up and down the road. This is set against a backdrop of more and more cars being used in the area.

“Because of this there is a definite need for a parking facility which would respond to the community’s concerns. This would help provide a bit of relief. As such parking schemes have been successfully delivered in other areas of Kirkholt, we are calling for a similar scheme to be introduced for this neighbourhood.”

A spokesperson for Rochdale Borough Council's Impact Partnership said: "The borough's township holds the budget for highways work such as this, so we would recommend that residents contact their local township councillor to raise the matter for discussion and investigation."