Councillors apologise over parking gaffe!

Date published: 22/02/2008

Spotland and Falinge Councillors Barbara Todd, Peter Clegg and Greg Couzens have been quick to set the record straight.  This was following confusion after the publication of a legal notice stating that residents living near Spotland Stadium could no longer park outside their own houses.  Councillor Barbara Todd immediately spotted the error and, alongside her colleagues delivered hundreds of letters correcting the Council’s mistake.

Councillor Barbara Todd said: "The publication of this legal notice caused a lot of anxiety for a number of residents.  I am not blaming the Council, it was simply a human error.  Following the publication, I was contacted by a number of residents concerned that they were being told they could not park their cars outside their own houses.  I immediately contacted the Council to correct this misinformation.  The advert was in no way related to what was agreed by the Council; that is that cars can only park in spaces designated by the club for the duration of a match day. 

"I would like to apologise to residents on Willbutts Lane, Edenfield Road, Bury Road, Sandy Lane and other residents living near our stadium.  This was a genuine mistake from the Council and I would hope that this allays resident’s fears! Councillors have worked with local residents to sort out the problems caused by cars parking when our stadium is in use. 

"Many local residents in the surrounding streets have spoken to us about the problems they have had with parking and traffic on Match Days.  As a local resident of Greave Avenue I know how much our area needs these traffic controlling measures. This is why, alongside my colleagues, Councillors Peter Clegg and Greg Couzens, we have campaigned for restrictions to protect residents.  We have worked with the club and provided £1000 from our fund to purchase traffic cones in a further measure to stop fans making local resident’s lives a misery!"