Permit scheme poses parking problems

BUSINESS fear . . . Chris Webb, owner of Oldham Road Dental Studio, has hit out at the new permit scheme

FED-UP business owners fear for their future following Oldham Council’s decision to change parking restrictions outside their businesses.

Firms on Oldham Road, Royton objected to proposals to make St Phillips Drive — where most of their customers park - a residents-only area after householders complained.

The businesses urged the council to look at other options to limit impact on their trade - including customer-only parking bays. The idea was rejected in favour of a permit scheme.

Businessee are now concerned trade will suffer as customers find alternative shops with easier parking.

Chris Webb, owner of Oldham Road Dental Studios, said: “This will devastate business in the area — there is no question about it. We’ve had little communication from the council so we’ve been unable to warn our patients.

“We had no warning: the signs just went up. We hadn’t even received the parking permits we had been promised until a few days later.”

Oldham Council confirmed each business was given six visitor permits for customers or members of staff to use on the road, but Mr Webb is concerned about the practicalities.

“My business makes dentures. I’d say 90 per cent of my customers are elderly or disabled and rely on their cars to get here. Without suitable parking, I’m worried they will go elsewhere.

“How can they expect patients to park, get a permit from us and walk back to their car to display it every time they stop by? Then we have to rely on them returning the permits afterwards. It just won’t work.”

Oldham Council the needs of the firms were taken into consideration before a final decision was made.

Councillor Dave Hibbert said: “We acknowledge that some of these businesses rely on customers parking within the St Phillip’s Drive area so we’ve allocated six parking permits to each. We also changed the times of the scheme to accommodate one business.”