Travel plea to Mela crowds

Date published: 06/07/2006

Visitors to the Rochdale Mega Mela on Friday and Saturday should use the free coaches, park-and-ride or public transport to get to and from Springfield Park.

That’s the message from Rochdale Council and the Police following a decision NOT to allow visitors to take cars into the park.

"We want everyone to have a great time at this popular event for all the family but we also want to avoid major traffic problems around the park," said Donald Forrester, Director of Highways for the Impact Partnership.

"Especially on Saturday, when the major bands are performing, we expect there to be large numbers of people trying to park their cars on streets near the park.

"The more people who can use the alternative transport arrangements provided by the event organisers the better it will be for everyone.  The park-and-ride sites will be clearly sign-posted.

"The Council and the Police are working closely together to make the event go as smoothly as possible.  Anyone parking on streets near the park should be careful not to cause an obstruction and should also make sure they don’t leave valuables in the car to attract thieves."

This weekend’s Rochdale Mega Mela will be the 12th such annual event.  It is a huge multi-cultural festival, providing fun for all the family.

It includes a funfair, sports, live music, dance, fashion show, various stalls, arts and crafts.  Local schools and the youth service will also be involved.  Saturday’s events will include performances by high profile Western, Afro Caribbean and Asian bands.

Stalls at the event will provide food from a variety of different countries, fashion, designer jewellery, arts and crafts.

The Rochdale Mega Mela is organised by Multi Asian Arts, Rochdale. Tel (01706) 642954.

The decision not to allow visitors to the Mela to take cars into the park was made by councillors when they granted a licence for the event and by magistrates who also considered the issue on Tuesday.