Business staff fear for future if active neighbourhood plan approved

Oldham Council is currently consulting with residents on plans to bring in an active neighbourhood in Chadderton and Westwood.

A consultation event last week, attended by around 200 people, descended into shouting as many voiced their strong opposition.

Among those attending with concerns were Adnan Yousaf and Ian Shepherd. 

Mr Yousaf, 42, works at The Cross Group, which owns and manages the Falcon Business Centre, on Victoria Street.

Mr Shepherd, 62, works at the business centre – and commutes seven miles by bike each day to get there.

Falcon Business Centre (Image: Google)

Both were strongly against the plans for an active neighbourhood, though Mr Shephard said as he cycles, he would be less affected by the changes.

The idea of an active neighbourhood is to stop cut-through traffic through residential areas – which can make minor roads more dangerous and congested.

ALSO READ: Active Neighbourhoods, bus gates, filters, and school streets explained.

The men both say they are concerned that the placement of a bus gate – which adds a point where only buses can pass – will make the Falcon Business Centre ‘inaccessible’.

Oldham Council says every property in the active neighbourhood will be accessible by motor traffic, though you may have to take a different route in or out.

Mr Shephard said: “Because of the bus gate on Victoria Street, it makes it impossible to get to our business centre, I cannot see how we get to our business centre.”

Mr Yousaf added: “On the opposite side of Victoria Street, they’re also planning new timed school street closures, so if there’s a timed school street closure on one end of the street, and a bus gate on the other end, it’s impossible for all the businesses and the households between those restrictions to be accessed by car.”

Bus gates (green with bus icons), vehicle filters (blue dots) and school streets (yellow highlight with white squares). (Image: Oldham Council)

‘I want it totally scrapped’

Mr Yousaf said he wants the scheme ‘totally scrapped', adding: “If they were to do any improvements, just do aesthetic street improvements that improve the visual amenity of the area.

“They already introduced speed calming measures like speed bumps and a 20mph speed zone, if there’s anything they can do to reduce the speed of vehicles, then they can insert 20mph average speed cameras.”

ALSO READ: What it’s like to live in an active neighbourhood, according to someone who lives in one.

‘Can see the logic in it’

Mr Shephard said he could see ‘some of the logic in it.’

He added: “I know Burnley Brow, particularly, does have a problem around the start and finish times of school, and I know they want to restrict traffic and that would improve safety, but I think we would lose our employment, I can’t see how we could operate.

“I fully accept that cycling, walking etc is really good – everything that encourages it is brilliant, but to do it at the expense of employment, it’s substantial.”

Speaking after Tuesday's consultation event, a council spokesman said: “Oldham Council has always been open about our proposals to introduce an active neighbourhood in these two areas.

“We totally understand some people will be opposed to what they have seen and heard.

"But we have to stress these are only proposals at this stage.

“The final scheme will be shaped by what comes out of the consultation, which is still ongoing.

“That’s why we urge everyone with an opinion to take part so their views can be taken into account."

They added: “Last year we carried out some early engagement in the community but we were limited in what we could do due to Covid.

“Since launching the consultation, and to ensure as many people as possible have been made aware of our plans, we have leafleted houses and businesses in the areas.

“We have also set up a specific webpage, used social media, shared information via newsletters and also issued a press release which has been covered by local and regional media." 

Your say

The consultation can be completed online on Oldham Council’s website.

Paper copies of the consultation packs which include the leaflet, survey and a paid return envelope can be requested at active.travel@oldham.gov.uk.

More information is available in our Active Neighbourhoods, bus gates, filters, and school streets explained article.