Bikers can park outside Wine Press

Motorbikes parked outside the Wine Press

Rochdale Council has told enforcement officers not to ticket bikers parking outside of the Wine Press at Hollingworth Lake. 

This comes after bikers were warned by enforcement officers that their bikes were illegally parked and they would be ticketed if they parked there.

This led to a huge outcry from bikers and non-bikers with hundreds of people objecting to what the council was doing.

Now, after an intervention from Leader of the Council, Councillor Richard Farnell, who read about the outcry on Rochdale Online, it is understood that enforcement officers have been told not to ticket the bikers.

This has been welcomed by bikers and local councillors.

A spokesperson for local motorcycle club, MT Heads, said: “It is brilliant news and the council should be commended for their attitude towards bikes parking outside of the Wine Press. I would like to add that there is still a need for motorcycle only bays in the main car park on Lake Bank.”

Councillor John Hartley said: “Bikers have parked there for years and have never caused anyone any problems. I am absolutely pleased that the council have decided not to go ahead with these fines. They have always parked there so why start fining them now.”

Councillor Janet Emsley said: “I am pleased that the council is supporting this. Myself and Councillor Hartley believe that the bikers add a certain ambience to the Wine Press and if they can’t park where they are parking then they would be taking up spaces for cars and that wouldn’t work. I was asked what my opinion on the bikers was and I said that they have never been a problem and that it would be petty to start fining them now.”

Mark Widdup, Rochdale Council Director of Economy and Environment, said: “Hollingworth Lake is a tourist attraction that welcomes thousands of visitors every year. In order to encourage regular and new visitors it is essential that the parking facilities meet the needs of all motoring groups.

“Whilst we cannot condone parking on a no waiting restriction, we recognise there is a need for motorcycle parking at Hollingworth Lake. We are therefore reviewing our parking strategy in this area; the aim of which is to maintain a highway that is safe for pedestrians and other road users, whilst not discouraging people from visiting the area.

“We thank the bikers for raising their concerns with us and will be working closely with them to ensure their parking needs are addressed.”

http://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/88088/outcry-over-bikers-threatened-with-tickets-for-parking-outside-the-wine-press