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

The Police were unable to attend the meeting as they have a suspect in custody in relation to the recent local vehicle offences, and only 24 hours to get that investigation to the CPS.  Officers were needed to complete priority actions for this case and residents can be assured that everything that can be done, to ensure a charge, is being done.

PCSOs were also conducting crime enquiries in relation to the recent spike of thefts of motor vehicles in the Pennine area.

Crime Statistics

Wardle & West Littleborough

Littleborough Lakeside

Reported ASB incident figures

Dangerous Driving
There was a lengthy discussion about dangerous driving including speeding; this is a priority for residents as some are too scared to now drive locally.  Residents feel they are not getting the backing from GMP in tackling this issue.  Councillors stated that this issue was raised at a recent Council meeting and they advised residents to continue reporting incidents to the Police.  GMP has carried out a couple of local road safety initiatives, involving other agencies that had good results and positive feedback.  There is a local Community Speed Watch project, initiated by Councillors, that needs community input, volunteers are needed.  Residents were reminded that they can also report dangerous driving to the Council’s Highways Department on 0300 303 8879 or highways@rochdale.gov.uk and they will log the incidents to identify the most dangerous roads.
Action 1: Raise these issues at the Police and Crime Panel (Councillor Emsley)

101 Non-Emergency Calls
The 101 number was discussed; there are forty new recruits, some of which are still in training, and this recruitment should help to reduce the call waiting times.

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

Action 2 - Traffic light sequence at Smithy Bridge Road junction

Response from Highways - An order has been placed by TfGM to have the necessary repair work undertaken, and the issue should be resolved soon.

Action 3: Temple Lane traffic issues
Response from Highways - Driving on the footways and dangerous driving is a matter for the Police.  As a Local Authority we have no powers to penalise or deal with dangerous and aggressive driving (issue forwarded to GMP).

Options from Highways - Sever the road to prevent it being used as a cut through.  This option will obviously affect residents and then force people to use Barnes Meadows which isn’t likely to be supported.  Alternatively, install road humps - approximate costs are between £25-30k which is currently prohibitive; this option will be considered should funds become available.

Approved funding updates: Wardle Cenotaph gate repair and handrail installation; Shore Christmas tree lights; Stubley Mill Road/Stubley Mill Lane access restrictions; Shore Mount/Shore Road junctions waiting restrictions; Shore bus terminus planters; St Andrew’s Church directional sign; Littleborough Christmas tree picket fence.

Clean and Green Schemes: Lee Street - removal of weeds and tidy up; Milnrow Road/Wildhouse Lane - litter pick along both sides of the road; Todmorden Road – clearance of leaves from both sides of the pavements; Top of Hare Hill Road – clearance of leaves from the top of the road.

Other Councillor updates: New waste bins installed in Wardle Village; Improvements to caretaking at Halliday Court; Kissing gate installed at Stubley Mill Road; Traffic calming on Wheelwright Drive; Crocus bulbs planted in Wardle Village; Community Speed campaign on Halifax Road; Rebuilding of stone wall on Whitelees Road; Street name plates for Birch Hill Crescent Estate; New street/footpath signs on Hibson Close, Featherstall Square, Greenfield Street and top of Shore; Repairs to ABC steps; Clean up at the top of Shore and Wardle Square; New Bollard on Spenwood; Installation of lamp post on the footpath behind Duke Street; Bus shelter repairs and replacement in Littleborough; Drainage improvements on Calderbrook Road pavements.

Lake Bank/Hollingworth Road Junction Accidents
There have been a number of accidents on the sharp bend at this junction.  It was suggested that anti slip surface may help to reduce the incidents, similar to the surface that was installed at the top of Smithy Bridge Road/Lake Bank junction.
Action 2: Request Highways’ advice regarding anti slip surface (Tracey Knight)

Car Park Barrier at Hollingworth Lake
The barrier at the bottom of the car park is stuck in the up position.
Action 3: Report to Highways and request repair (Tracey Knight)

Whitelees Road Waiting Restrictions
The recent introduction of double yellow lines has resulted in vehicles parking on the opposite side of the road half on and half off the pavement, which again pushes other road users into the middle of the road sometimes into oncoming traffic.
Action 4: Report to Highways and request their advice (Tracey Knight)

Small Business Saturday
A Christmas Window Dressing competition took place in Littleborough on 1 December 2018.  The Secret won first place with a fantastic, unique window design and newly opened shop Pretty Parade were runners up.

Remembrance Sunday
There is a feedback meeting this week to evaluate recent plans and agree future arrangements.  The planning group, consisting mainly of volunteers, were thanked for their commitment over recent years in ensuring the event is timely, organised and safe.  Thanks were also given to St Barnabas Church who trained bell ringers in time for Remembrance Sunday.

Grit Bin Request
Residents from Windham Street requested a grit bin.
Action 5: Ask Highways if this location meets the criteria for a grit bin (Tracey Knight)

Contacting Councillors
Residents were encouraged to contact their Ward Councillors to report issues.

SNOW – ICE Road Sign
The advisory road Open/Closed sign on Church Street relating to A58 Halifax and A6033 Todmorden is still stuck in the ‘Road Open’ position.
Action 6: Report again to Highways and request the sign is repaired (Tracey Knight)

Clay Street Grit Bin
A resident advised there is no longer a grit bin at this location; this situation may be due to it being moved to a location where it is of better use.
Action 7: Establish the reason for the removal of the grit bin (Tracey Knight)

Paperless Meetings
The forum was advised that as of April 2019 this meeting will be a paperless meeting to fall in line with other Council meetings.  Papers will continue to be emailed to attendees, but paper copies will not be provided on the night.

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