No fees and more parking spaces

UPPERMILL councillors plan to continue with free car parking in the village.

They also aim to create more spaces and use waiting restrictions on some car parks during main shopping hours to help businesses prosper.

Councillors hope this will free spaces to keep shoppers and visitors flowing into the village.

John McCann, borough councillor for Saddleworth South, said: “Parking in Uppermill is an ever-growing problem affecting residents, businesses and visitors.

“We felt we have to protect businesses and the free-flow parking facilities determined by the restriction is one way of achieving this.

“Unless action is taken, the threat of Tesco with plenty of free parking available could lead to the possible closure of some of the excellent shops currently available in Uppermill.”

Royce Franklin, Saddleworth Parish councillor, said: “It is hoped those who have to park in Uppermill all day will park near the leisure centre to avoid taking up the non-restricted places that will remain.”

The first change is likely to involve parking in Uppermill Square, where market stallholders, who set up on Wednesdays, have had difficulty erecting stalls because of cars parked on the site overnight.

And once the all-weather pitch at Uppermill Leisure Centre has been completed further marking of the resurfaced car park will take place.

There will be more than 70 spaces with additional lighting and no planned restrictions.

Meanwhile, the resurfacing of the George V playing field area with the extra space created by the demolition of the mortuary, is part of a long-term plan.

Residents on Court Street, Lee Street and the Village Green are to be consulted to see whether they want residents’ permits which would probably be operative between 5pm to 8am.