The consultation over the introduction of an active neighbourhood has come under fire for only providing documents in the English language.
In the Coldhurst council ward, which covers the majority of the area of the planned active neighbourhood, more than 60 per cent of residents were from a Bangladeshi background as of the 2011 census – 10 times the Oldham average.
Despite this, none of the material related to the plans, which would restrict through-access to motor traffic in the area, has been distributed in Bengali, the official language of Bangladesh, or any language other than English.
ALSO READ: Active Neighbourhoods explained: Chadderton and Westwood.
Ali Ahmid lives in the area of the planned active neighbourhood.
A business owner, he grew up and attended South Chadderton School, and used to cycle to and from his home to attend.
‘No one has notified us’
He criticised the consultation as ‘flawed,’ saying: “The reasons why we were a bit frustrated and angry with the situation is, in the two years since this has happened no one has notified us.
“The consultations have been flawed, if they’ve been saying they’ve been liaising with the community – please explain who or give one name of a person.”
The 39-year-old said he never received a letter through his door about the plans, which made him feel ‘angry.’
Living with his two children, aged six and four, Mr Ahmid said he walks his children to their school, also in the active neighbourhood area, the majority of the time – at a distance of just under half a mile.
ALSO READ: What it’s like to live in an active neighbourhood.
He added: “I’ve got a car, I live in the area. If I go to school, I get my kid and we’ll walk it.
“If it’s a mild day, we’ll walk it – a majority of people do that.
“If it’s really heavy, bad weather then yes, you will take your car. If the weather conditions were very bad, that’s the only time we’d be taking the car.”
Language barriers
The father of two was critical that consultation documents were only available in English – and thinks the council has not done enough to break down barriers between communities in the consultation.
ALSO READ: Business staff fear for future if active neighbourhood plan approved.
He said: “The thing is, you’ve got to understand the community you’re representing.
"There’s a lot of Asian people here who don’t speak the language.
“When the councillors do their Christmas cards or Eid cards, it’s in three or four different languages.
“Why don’t you do the same with this?”
One event had been planned at Burnley Brow School to go through the plans, with organisers saying the meeting would be ‘fully translated.’
However, the meeting was later cancelled.
An Oldham council spokesperson said it was council policy to publish documents in only the English language and said there was a high demand for translation services during Covid, with the costs of translation blamed for the current policy.
Your say
The consultation, which runs until Friday, November 4, 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.
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