Councillors ask for full consultation regarding River Roch opening in town centre

The design for the re-opening has been criticised as being uninspiring

Councillors were keen to address the issue of the River Roch re-opening with Council Leader Richard Farnell at a full council meeting on Wednesday (23 July).

Leader of the Conservatives, Councillor Ashley Dearnley asked for a full consultation to be undertaken before any final decision is made.

He said: “I know business people fully support the river re-opening and I think that before a decision is made it deserves further detail and a consultation to be undertaken. I don’t think we should close the door on this issue. I think we need something different in Rochdale and the river could offer that.”

Councillor Farnell was open to hearing suggestions from fellow councillors regarding the decision on the river. In response to Councillor Dearnley he said: “I agree that we need something different but we do have major cuts to make and no decision has yet been made. We have to make a difficult decision in regards to spending.

"If we do decide to open the river, it is estimated that it will cost the taxpayer £200,000 a year for the next 40 years in repaying debt. We have to decide if this is economically viable.”

Councillor Farooq Ahmed also addressed that issue and added, “it will be disastrous if the river is not reopened.”

Many businesses in the town centre are reportedly in favour of the river re-opening but Councillor Farnell added that he has heard a different opinion from residents in the town and that the plan has “split the town in half”.

Supporters of the plan believe that the river flowing through the town will make the town centre a more attractive environment that will attract shoppers and visitors from out of town but critics of the project say that the scheme is little more than three "inspection holes" in the ground, and that the chosen design is an "uninspiring mix of concrete and glass that will do nothing but attract litter.”

To close the discussion on the subject, Councillor Farnell said: “We will look at all of the benefits surrounding this decision but whatever decision we come to, it will certainly be a difficult one.”

It is understood that a report regarding the River Roch will go to cabinet within the next few weeks.