Rochdale among the north’s worst 10 blackspots for living

Rochdale

Rochdale ranks amongst the worst 10 regions for living in the north of England, according to new research.

The Northern Powerhouse Liveability Index, commissioned by Your Housing Group, creates a new measure of ‘liveability’ in the north, focusing on access to affordable housing and the opportunities that housing provides access to, such as jobs, wages that meet the local cost of living, and good school places.

It ranks all 72 local authorities in the north, providing a comprehensive view of the best and worst places for ‘liveability’.

The report is the first of its kind to combine housing affordability with other factors including quality of life and opportunity available for average earners, as well as the general desirability of local areas.

A baseline score of 100 represents the average for the whole region with Rochdale falling below average for affordability and attributes (combined opportunity, desirability and availability). Any areas scoring over 100 are above average.

Rochdale, with a ‘liveability score’ of 372, is the tenth least liveable area, followed by Newcastle Upon Tyne, Manchester, Middlesbrough, Sheffield, Pendle, Knowsley, and Blackburn with Darwen.

Neighbouring region Oldham was scored as the second-least liveable area with a score of 338, just beaten by Bradford as the least liveable area.

Trafford was the most liveable area in Greater Manchester, scoring 421, to place it as the 16^th most liveable place.