Parking permits protest

COUNCILLORS are joining residents in opposing a parking permit proposal

LABOUR councillors in Royton South are joining residents in opposing a proposal to introduce annual charges for permits in residential parking schemes around the Royal Oldham Hospital.

Councillors Steve Bashforth, Marie Bashforth and Amanda Chadderton are campaigning against the proposal, which would see households pay £15 per car to park in the schemes around their homes.

Parking permits are currently free and were introduced in residential areas in the borough, in particular around the Rochdale Road Hospital site, to discourage motorists, including staff and visitors to the hospital, from causing traffic congestion in the area.

Residents in the neighbouring areas have launched a petition against the proposed charges. Signed by around 120 residents, the petition has been handed to the council and it is set to be discussed at an upcoming council meeting.

Councillor Steve Bashforth, who fought for the permit schemes to be introduced over five years ago, said: "The residents in the areas covered by these permits had been greatly affected by people leaving vehicles on the roads and footpaths at all hours of the night and day, seven days a week and all year round.

"The majority of these vehicles belonged to staff and visitors to the hospital who finding no free spaces, or unable or unwilling to pay for a space in the hospital grounds would use the nearby residential streets instead.

"It was never envisaged that residents would have to pay an ongoing fee other than if they lost a permit and would be charged for a new one. Our view is that these schemes are essential to the quality of life for residents living around the hospital and as there are no actual administration costs to run the schemes we cannot justify introducing them now."

Councillor Amanda Chadderton said: "The staff who work at the hospital and the patients and visitors should not have to endure the stress caused by trying to find a parking space, nor should the surrounding residential streets become the hospital's overflow car park."

The proposals are part of Oldham Council's £20 million budget savings, with the move aiming to cover the costs of production and enforcement of the permits in a £15 annual charge.

Councillor Abdul Jabbar, cabinet member for finance and HR, said: "The production and enforcement of parking permits comes at a cost to the council. This consultation only proposes to cover these costs in a small annual renewal charge, not to charge additional monthly fees for permits as some councils choose to."

Visit oldham.gov.uk/budget to have your say.