Questions are invited from members of the public present at the meeting on issues of concern relating to the provision of local services. Approximately 30 minutes will be set aside for public question time if required.
Minutes:
§ Mr Ainsworth stated that the hospital buses, 468 and 469, which used to take the public directly to the hospital had been stopped due to parking issues. There had been no public consultation in relation to this. Councillor Cassidy stated that the buses were unable to manoeuvre round due to the traffic which really needed enforcing. Mike Harling explained that the 475 bus still went to the hospital but that this bus only ran every hour whereas the 468 and 469 had been every 10 minutes.
§ Mike Harling asked in relation to parking restrictions on Market Street and Councillor Connolly asked that Mike emailed him with specifics.
Councillor Holt reported that parking restrictions now ran from the Rochdale boundary to Lea Mount Drive so public parking was not available on the Streets around the hospital which had been causing concerns for local residents.
§ Mr Ainsworth asked about a ramp between the car park where the large home bargains shop was on Moorgate Retail Park, to the smaller car park to the NHS Walk-In Centre, as it was difficult for people in wheelchairs and with prams.
Councillor Connolly reported that public who parked on the Moorgate Retail car park were supposed to be shopping on that particular site and that the car park for the Walk-In Health Centre was a private car park and not the responsibility of the Council.
§ Kath Bond reported that she had hoped to put to the Police Sergeant at the last meeting, the major concerns with people parking on the pavements. Kath stated that pedestrians were supposed to walk on the footpaths but vehicles were constantly obstructing and pedestrians had to walk in the road.
Councillor Walmsley replied that Police allow vehicles to park on the pavements if they would be obstructing the flow of traffic on the road. There were streets of terraced houses in Bury and if residents didn’t park on the pavements they would be causing traffic obstructions.
Mike Harling stated that in certain areas of the Country, pavements were built wider to accommodate vehicles as well as pedestrians.
In a related issue, Councillor Holt reported that a shop off Silver Street in the centre of Bury had put furniture on the pavement which was forcing pedestrians into the road, which needed to be addressed.
§ Mr Ainsworth asked why, when most retail shops were open on Saturdays and Sundays, the Town Hall and Council were not.
Councillor Connolly agreed that people’s shopping habits have changed and that many people now shop online and that this was something that was being considered also for Council Services to be available 7 days a week for people to make payments.
§ Harry Reed stated that there had been a break in at Openshaw Park and flags had been pulled up. Harry had phoned security but was concerned as this was Council property that local residents were looking after and it would be an added charge to the Council if the flags were taken.
Councillor Connolly acknowledged what Harry was saying and explained that if he had informed Security, it was hoped they would either replace or secure the flags.