Stephen Sharp
Green Party
Milnrow & Newhey Ward
I am 60 years old and happily married to my wife Janette. We have grown-up children and three grandchildren. Before retiring, I worked as station manager on the railway and Janette was a headteacher.
As a local resident of Milnrow, I am standing to represent the residents of Milnrow and Newhey as I believe the time has come for a change in councillors and a change in the way Rochdale Council is run. For far too long, the ‘closed shop’ arrangement with the three main parties has failed the residents of Milnrow and Newhey.
I feel a sense of pride being the Green Party candidate for the ward. Unlike other parties, the Green Party doesn’t operate a whip system, so I would be totally independent and free to vote on what is best for Milnrow and Newhey.
It is not my intention to criticise the other parties; there is far too much of that in politics! I want to send a positive message of what I can offer as a councillor for our ward and the issues I will fight for if elected.
Two of the biggest problems facing the villages of Milnrow and Newhey are unchecked house building and the traffic congestion. The relentless house building leads directly to more congestion, air pollution and gridlock in and around our villages.
In addition to the congestion and the air pollution it causes, two further traffic problems in both villages are speeding, which is a regular occurrence and a danger to us all, and indiscriminate parking on pavements, making accessibility for disabled people, those pushing prams and walking with small children a real problem.
I believe we should be repurposing buildings rather than keep building new homes. The homes that are being built do nothing for local economy only create more traffic and congestion. We need affordable starter homes to enable local people to get on the housing ladder. Dale Mill, in the centre of Milnrow, should be looked at as a development opportunity for conversion into apartments for first time homeowners, rather than building huge housing developments on Wildhouse Lane and at the side of Hollingworth Lake - both of which I would have opposed vigorously as a councillor.
It saddens me greatly that there are no facilities for our young people. As a local councillor, I would be fighting for Rochdale Council to provide a youth gym and an internet café in Milnrow, along with proper support for the Scouts, Guides and other interest groups for our young people.
The state of the roads is nothing short of appalling, little wonder with the amount of traffic and HGV vehicles in both villages and no investment in sustainable repairs.
I appreciate that the police are overworked and underfunded, however the lack of police presence in both Milnrow and Newhey is a real concern.
As a Green councillor I would look to a holistic approach to the problems and issues facing our ward. I would work with councillors from adjoining wards to improve services, stop house building and reduce congestion.
For far too long the interests and needs of our residents have been neglected – I believe we all deserve better.
Voting Green is a real opportunity to effect change across the whole Borough – especially in Milnrow and Newhey.
Our full manifesto is available on the Rochdale Green Party Website.
