Petition calling for maintenance of Cutgate Shopping Precinct car park to be kept as Rochdale Council’s responsibility

More than 1,000 people have signed a petition calling for the maintenance of Cutgate Shopping Precinct’s car park to be kept as the council’s responsibility.

Since the local democracy reporting service last month revealed that councillors were split over the future of the deteriorating car park, a petition has been launched by local residents and shop owners.
 

Read more: Councillors split over future of ‘deteriorating’ car park that could leave the authority facing hefty legal claimsPublished: 11 February 2021

Although Rochdale Council does not own the car park at Cutgate Shopping Precinct, it has been responsible for its upkeep since 1976 when it took it on under a ‘deed of dedication’.

This means it could potentially be sued for any damage or injury sustained at the site.

The arrangement has meant the car park is available to the public free of charge. Regulars users include shoppers, visitors to the nearby doctor’s surgery, and worshippers at Cutgate Baptist Church.

But the council has had to fork out over £20,000 on patching the car park up over the last six years - and says that returning it to ‘pristine condition’ would cost £50,000. The long term cost of running the car park is estimated at nearly £240,000.

There is no specific pot of money for this and any future costs would need to come from the Rochdale Township budget.

Over 1,000 people have signed the petition, calling for the car park to be kept under Rochdale Council’s control, rather than surrendering it back to the landlords of the shops.

The petition warns that costs of maintaining the car park would fall to “users of the car park, i.e. customers and shop owners.”

Amber Pets, which is located on the precinct, said the move could result in small businesses having to close.

In a Facebook post, it said: “Despite extensive use by the wider community, only the tenants of the shops at Cutgate Shopping Centre will become financially responsible for the maintenance of the car park if the council surrenders its care.

“This could result in small businesses having to close or move, or parking restrictions being implemented to subsidise the costs which would have a detrimental impact on local residents.

“The council should continue to maintain the car park and surrounding areas to ensure free use by the wider community.

“The tenants have not been consulted on this matter by the council, or by their landlords.

“The tenants, the doctor’s surgery, the dentist, the church, the community groups, Rochdale in Bloom, the bowlers and local residents all want the council to remain in control of the car park.”

Rochdale Borough Council has been contacted for comment.

To sign the petition, please visit:

• www.change.org/p/rochdale-borough-council-cutgate-precinct-car-park-takeover