The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting and introduced himself, Councillors and Officers.

Crime Statistics - Littleborough & Wardle

Dangerous driving
There were numerous reports of dangerous driving incidents including speeding, driving on the wrong side of the road, etc; residents are unsure of the procedure to report these incidents and they are concerned that GMP are not taking these issues seriously.  Residents were advised to report these incidents, giving as much detail as possible, on 101, via PCSOs, and the interactive chat on the GMP website.  Issues can be reported to the Council’s Highways Department on 0300 303 8879 or highways@rochdale.gov.uk and they will log the incident and build up a picture of just how dangerous our roads are becoming.  Featherstall Road, Halifax Road, Alberts Royds Street, Wildhouse Lane, Smithy Bridge Road and Milnrow Road were all raised as areas of concern by residents.

Section 59 of the Road Traffic Act allows the police to give drivers a warning if they are reported to have used their vehicle in a manner which causes alarm, distress or annoyance.  Councillors shared residents’ concerned and advised that they are actively taking steps to deal with the issues.  GMP also advised that they are planning to carry out targeted speed and motor offence operations on Albert Royds Street through to Wardle Road.

Residents were made aware of Operation Considerate opconsiderate@gmp.police.uk which allows the upload of video evidence relating to driving/moving traffic offences only that have been witnessed in the Greater Manchester area.
Action 1: Dangerous driving reports received to be included in the Crime Statistics and feedback at future meetings (PC Ryecroft)

Attendance at future meetings
GMP confirmed their commitment to attend future meetings; they are invaluable in engaging with the community and gathering information and intelligence.

Wardle Bowling Club
Members of the Bowling Club were advised that the site is included in patrols and some young people have been moved off the site during recent visits.

Traffic lights sequence
A discussion took place regarding the sequence of the traffic lights at the top of Smithy Bridge Road and the confusion that may be being caused to motorists.
Action 2: Request Highways to inspect the sequence and consider installing additional louvres (Tracey Knight)

The minutes of the last meeting were agreed as a correct record.  The following updates were provided.

Action 2 - Victoria Street one-way system request
Highways have advised that this wouldn’t be a priority as there are no previous issues reported and it would be too costly.

Action 3 - Calderbrook Terrace street light outage
The issue was reported and is now resolved.

Action 4 - Additional bus timetable requests
The response from Transport for Greater Manchester - I have investigated this matter with our Information and Displays Team to see if it would be possible to accommodate this request.  Unfortunately, I have been advised that due to current budgetary constraints we would be unable to provide further information cases in the area.  You may wish to advise your constituents that over the past three years we have put a lot of work into our digital channels.  Our website and app now offer live information for some services and more options will become available over time.  Furthermore, customers can create an account on TfGM’s journey planner and receive notifications for their preferred routes and also create customised timetables.  Transport operators of buses are also making progress in this regard.

Action 5 - Kingsway Park school transport
Councillor Emsley wrote to the Head Teacher, Ms Ball, to encourage provision of school transport to cover outer lying areas.

Approved funding updates: Installation of bollard on Duke Street; Church Street and A58 road markings have been refreshed; grants approved for  Hare Hill House events 2019, Littleborough Arts Festival and Littleborough Coach House.

Clean and Green Schemes: Lodge Street. Todmorden Road, Walmsley Avenue, path off Todmorden Road, Shore Road, Smithy Bridge Road/Brown Lodge Street junction, Lee Street, Salley Street, Lake Bank car park, Summit Area, top of Shore, Duke Street, footpath off Smithy Bridge Road and Wuerdle Farm Way.

New school site
Residents were advised that the timescale for a decision to be made regarding the new school site is not yet known.  Increasing capacity at other schools will be looked into to allow for an increase in numbers.  It was confirmed that Littleborough is still the preferred site.

Littleborough infrastructure
A resident expressed her concern about the number of housing developments either approved or in the pipeline that will increase the demand on already stretched infrastructure in Littleborough and surrounding areas.  It was explained that the Council doesn’t have the grounds to refuse these types of housing developments, they are governed by legislation.

Calderbrook Road surface works
It was confirmed that the work is part of a three year programme.

Temple Lane
A resident advised that vehicles, including HGVs, are using Temple Lane as a cut through to avoid Littleborough centre.  Vehicles are reported to be driving aggressively, on the pavements and at speed.  There are no footpaths on parts of Temple Lane which raises safety concerns for pedestrians.
Action 3: Report issue to Highways and request their advice (Tracey Knight)

Remembrance Sunday
The forum were advised that the timings were scrutinised last year, and worked well, so with the exception that we willbegin to muster at 10.00am at Hare Hill House, the rest of the timings will remain the same.  The parade will depart at 10.30am from Hare Hill Park, the service will begin at 10.55am.

11 December 2018
12 March 2019


Rochdale East
Tel:               0161 856 8549
Email            rochdaleeast@gmp.police.uk
Facebook     GMPRochdaleEast
Twitter          @gmprochdaleeast
Crimestoppers 0800 555 111 www.crimestoppers-uk.org
Police non-emergency calls 101
Emergency calls 999

PC Gordon Ryecroft
Email: Gordon.rycroft@gmp.police.uk