The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting, and there had been some confusion regarding the nature of the meeting which was clarified.

PC Lucas McGregor introduced himself as the Neighbourhood Beat Officer for Littleborough and explained the current policing priorities are anti-social behaviour, burglaries and theft of motor vehicles.  Additional Greater Manchester Police resources have been allocated to deal with the recent spikes in these crimes.  During the last six months there has been a number of plain clothes operations which have been successful and some of the results are shared on the GMP Pennines Facebook page.

Crime Statistics

Wardle & West Littleborough

Littleborough Lakeside

Reported ASB incident figures

Dangerous Driving
Residents reported their concerns regarding vehicles speeding in Littleborough referring to it as a race track.  The Police advised that they are running community speed watch campaigns with local Councillors.  Todmorden Road and Littleborough Centre is the next area to be targeted.  Similar operations are also planned for Wardle.

101 Non-Emergency Calls
The 101 number was discussed; delays in answering were again reported.  Residents were encouraged to use alternative online reporting facilities for non-emergencies found at Start A Live Chat and on the web page Greater Manchester Police selecting the Road Traffic Incident reporting option.  Residents 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.

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

Action Updates

Action 2: Lake Bank/Hollingworth Road Junction Accidents
Highways have advised the road surface has been inspected and the skid resistance is within acceptable limits.  The road is on the programme this summer for micro surfacing which will increase the skid resistance.

Action 3: Car Park Barrier at Hollingworth Lake
The barrier repairs have been completed.

Action 4: Whitelees Road Waiting Restrictions

Highways have advised the only solution would be to introduce double yellow lines on the opposite side of Whitelees Road which wouldn’t be popular and it would likely receive objections.

Action 5: Windham Street Grit Bin
Highways have advised that the location does not meet the grit bin criteria.

Action 6: SNOW – ICE Road Sign
Response received from Highways is Halifax Road last year was only officially closed for a very short duration due to a national emergency.  The temporary closure signs were all posted correctly.  Duty officers will be asked to ensure if it is planned to close these routes for any length of time the notice will be switched to closed.

Action 7: Clay Street Grit Bin
There is no record of a grit bin on the Highway’s inventory or street view (2012) for Clay Street, it is however part of our standard treatment route.

Approved Funding Updates: Hare Hill Park flower beds revamp; Sail after Service Veterans project at Hollingworth Lake; Hollingworth Lake dry stone wall repair; Littleborough Food and Drink Festival; Pennines in Bloom 2019; Pennines Township floral displays and landscaping; Shore Road waiting restrictions.

Clean and Green Schemes: Old Road – clean up and litter pick; Footpath from Whitelees Road to Pennines doctors surgery – cut back shrubs and general clean-up; Whitelees Road to Hare Hill Road Walk Way – clearance of overgrowth; Walmsley Avenue – General  clean-up; Smithy Bridge car park – litter pick/clean-up; Lake Bank to Beechwood Avenue clean-up; Wellbeck Avenue snicket – cut back overgrown hedges.

Other Councillor Updates: New post box installation at Timbercliffe/Sladen Wood Mill; Replacement bus shelter on Todmorden Road; Tree branch removed from canal bank at Lock 41 that was causing an obstruction; Graffiti removal on Todmorden Road; Replacement litter bin on Hare Hill Road; An additional lighting column to be installed on Hare Hill Road; New bins provided in Wardle; Agreement of £195,000 s106 funding for Rutherford Park; A defibrillator agreed for Wardle; Starring Lane residents meeting relating to a planning application; St Andrew’s School approved as a polling station; Speed check at Featherstall Road; Possible new sports area on Wardle Road; Agreement for large stone for Dearnley Work House to be placed within the Birch Hill development; New path installed from Arm Road to St Andrews School; Safety improvements to the concrete stairs at Halliday Court.

Missing Road Sign
It was reported that there is a missing road sign on Wildhouse Lane; a resident raised their concerns of the safety impact of the missing signage.
Action 1: Request replacement signage (Tracey Knight)

Temple Lane Traffic Volume and Speed
Residents raised their concerns about speeding traffic and road safety; the suggestions previously put forward by Highways were not supported for a number of reasons.
Action 2: Feedback to Highways and request further advice (Tracey Knight)

School Crossing Patrols
A resident advised that the crossing patrol on Calderbrook Road has been missing for some time.  Another resident advised that the person had been seconded to a different location that was deemed a higher priority.  A discussion then took place regarding the Council proposal to withdraw funding for school crossing patrols and the concerns this raises for residents.  It was explained that this is not a statutory service and that in lots of authorities the schools pay for the patrols themselves.  This is a proposal to assist with the current budget gap; difficult decisions have to be made.

Stolen Bicycle
A resident advised that he had found a bike that may have been stolen; it had been reported to the Police but he was advised they wouldn’t collect it.  PC McGregor agreed to arrange collection of the bike from the resident.
Action 3: Arrange collection of the bicycle (PC McGregor)

School Places
A lengthy discussion took place regarding the allocation of school places and the effect that this is having on families now and in the future.  The admission criteria for academy schools was explained and residents were advised to apply pressure themselves to the local academies.  Residents were also advised that the decision regarding the application, made by the Altus Education Partnership, for a new school in Littleborough will be known in spring 2019.  Concerns were raised regarding the lack of school places to accommodate the planned housing developments.  Councillors advised that they too are concerned about the lack of infrastructure; they raise this issue at every opportunity.

GM Transport Strategy
A resident raised concerns regarding the lack of transport plans within the strategy for the Rochdale Borough.  Councillors confirmed that they are lobbying TfGM for improved commuter options and infrastructure including additional bus routes and extended car parks.  Friends of Littleborough Stations are hosting a community consultation event on 21 March 2019 at Smithy Bridge Methodist Church.  It was confirmed that the Leader of the Council, Councillor Allen Brett, represents Rochdale at the GM Combined Authority Committees.

Former Akzo Nobel Site
A resident addressed the meeting and gave some background to this site including the reports of the Coal Authority and the planning processes that has taken place, etc.  Planning permission was granted in 2015 for 174 dwellings.  A letter was referred to that allegedly brought to light new information that would question the safety of the site for housing/development.  This information has previously been made available to senior Council Officers and Homes England.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

Hollingworth Road Parking Restrictions
Residents were advised that the 21 day objection period for the proposed new parking restrictions on Hollingworth Road starts tomorrow 13 March 2019.  Details can be found on the Council website.

4 June 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 Lucas McGregor
Email: lucas.mcgregor@gmp.police.uk