Parkers are left in the dark

LET there be light . . . please! The gloomy new Hobson Street car park

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MOTORISTS using Oldham's newest town centre car park have urged the council to shed light on why newly installed lighting is not being used on site.

People using the Hobson Street surface car park say the lack of lights on site make it difficult to use the pay and display machine and could pose a danger to people returning to their cars at night.

Lampposts have been erected on site, however they have yet to be switched on to illuminate the car park after dark.

One resident, who wished to remain anonymous, said: "It seems ridiculous that the car park has been opened for us but there is not suitable lighting.

"The lamp posts have been erected but they haven't been switched on.

"How can you be expected to read the signs or put the correct money into the machines if they are not properly illuminated?

"It's also not safe for people returning to their cars at night and I can imagine people on their own feeling uneasy walking to their car in the dark."

"What makes the situation even more frustrating is that the lights have been glowing for nights on the new car park at the Metrolink stop at Mumps and yet that car park doesn't even open until the end of the month!"

The Hobson Street car park opened on January 9, replacing the former multi-storey facility, which was closed in December, 2014, after an inspection found structural damage. It was eventually demolished last July in a controlled explosion.

A spokesperson for Oldham Council comfirmed that the new Hobson Street car park opened without operation lighting as the new electrical supply and meter had not been installed at the site.

They continued: "The new supply was completed on Monday and we are awaiting a date for the installation of the meter from the contractor - this will happen very soon.

"Hobson Street has ambient lighting provided by surrounding street columns which is the same as many other car parks across the country."