Off their trolleys

Cars blatantly flout the road markings in Chamber Road

OLDHAM Council has issued a staggering 89 parking fines in a month outside a new supermarket - even though officers warned motorists it would operate a zero tolerance policy towards “selfish motorists.”

Since the Manchester Superstore opened in Chamber Road on June 6, significant traffic problems have angered local residents and motorists. The drama began after the Manchester Superstore — part of a franchise dubbed “the largest ethnic superstore chain in the UK” — completed a front extension, taking up a significant area of the car park.

Customers and delivery vans were forced to park on both sides of the street, causing major traffic problems. The council acted quickly by painting double yellow lines on both sides of the road..

Since June 26, motorists have continued to park where they could - resulting in the massive number of penalty tickets for shoppers, locals and delivery drivers alike.

Motorists are now said to be looking out for each other, alerting each other when wardens arrive.

Councillor Dave Hibbert, Cabinet member for transport, said: “Enforcement officers monitor the area at least four times a day to stop the selfish motorists who are causing a danger. We are still treating the area as a hotspot.”

Abdul Ghafoor, owner of the Manchester Superstore, said the double yellow lines have just caused more problems and admitted delivery drivers drive around the block to avoid traffic wardens.

But he has now struck a deal with nearby Werneth Cricket Club to use 32 car park spaces there.

“Putting double yellow lines on both sides of the road means you can’t park up anywhere without getting a fine,” he said. “Now Ramadan is over and the schools have broken up the problem isn’t as bad.

“The delivery wagons can’t fit in the car park so they have to unload from the side of the road, where there are double yellow lines. If they turn up and there’s a traffic warden there they have to drive around the block until they have gone. Parking spaces at the cricket club should stop customers parking on the road, but delivery is still an issue. We want to talk to the council and sort the problem out.”

Oldham Council is now assessing “planning issues” associated with the store, which could have breached planning permission by erecting the extention.