Temporary town centre car parks given the go ahead

The creation of temporary car parks in Rochdale town centre has been given the go ahead by councillors.

Plans to create a temporary short stay car park on the former Primary Care Trust site on Penn Street and a temporary long stay car park on the former Pentagon site, off John Street, were put before councillors at a meeting of the Rochdale Township Committee on Wednesday night.

The introduction of these temporary car parks is part of a bid to maintain adequate parking whilst the town centre redevelopment takes place and to mitigate the loss of the bus station car parking spaces.

Both of the sites have been acquired by the Council as part of the Town Centre East redevelopment.

The Penn Street site is already laid out as a car park and can accommodate up to 44 spaces.

Most of the Pentagon site is laid out as a car park and can accommodate a minimum of 188 parking spaces.

A Traffic Regulation Order would need to be introduced for the Penn Street site, at a cost of £3,500.

Based on 60 per cent utilisation it is forecast that the Penn Street car park would generate £11,500 over a 12 month period.

If the same utilisation rate of 60 per cent is applied to the Pentagon site it is forecast £30,000 would be made over a 12 month period.

It is also expected that a further £3,500 could be generated from Penalty Charge Notices issued on this site.

Both car parks need minor remedial works, signage and tariff boards and a pay and display machine at each site. It is estimated this will cost a maximum of £15,500.

Both car parks will be subject to existing car parking conditions, including the free after three initiative.