Protecting greenbelt would cut flood risk
AS Rochdale has experienced a number of floods in recent years, the most serious of which was on Boxing Day in 2015, I was pleased to see council leader Richard Farnell support the ‘Slow the Flow’ campaign launched by the National Flood Forum and the Environment Agency, the aim of which is to reduce the speed at which water flows into rivers by natural flood management.
By doing this it will help lessen the risk of flooding in the future.
He appealed for landowners whose land would be suitable to become involved and take part.
As such I am appealing to Councillor Farnell for him to play his part in the scheme and ditch the plans that he has championed in the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework to allow the building of unsuitable housing on large areas of Rochdale’s protected greenbelt.
Instead the focus of future development should be restricted to building higher density, affordable housing on Rochdale’s many brownfield areas, which are so desperate for renovation and development.
The areas of greenbelt under threat act as huge sponges, catching rainfall, allowing it to soak into the ground and delaying it’s entry into local rivers, lowering the likelihood and severity of future flooding. By taking this brave step Councillor Farnell would be taking significant action to serve the people of Rochdale and reduce the long term risk of flooding both within Rochdale and also in adjoining areas.
If he fails to reverse the decision to allow the ‘development’ of greenbelt land his legacy to the people of Rochdale will be to significantly increase the risk of flooding and the suffering that comes with it, to both individuals and businesses in the borough for future generations to come. John McKenniff Slattocks
DANGER WALK AROUND TOWN
A PARTIALLY-SIGHTED, almost blind lady from my ward asked me to accompany her on a walk around Rochdale town centre to point out the difficulties experienced by her and similar disabled people.
Coincidently, on the way to meet her, a fully sighted lady, unaware that I was a councillor, struck up a conversation with me complaining of the inherent dangers posed to pedestrians by the new road layout, especially the lack of pedestrian crossings.
Later on our journey around the town centre the partially sighted lady pointed out two problem points.
The first was trying to cross the road from outside the Nat West Bank towards the direction of the Town Hall/Gracie Fields statue.
There are dropped kerbs there but the traffic races by; this could be cured by simply creating an old fashioned pedestrian crossing, by painting the traditional white blocks across the road.
The second problem point, with the identical problem, is crossing from the area of number one South Parade towards the bottom of Yorkshire Street.
I watched people crossing the road there and none of them crossed where the dropped kerbs are situated, which are lower down towards the bottom of Drake Street.
Again this could be alleviated by creating an inexpensive traditional crossing. I hope this matter will be dealt with promptly, before there is a loss of life or serious injury. Coun Ian Duckworth
DRUNK LOUTS PUT US OFF
A COUPLE of months ago my wife and I went into Rochdale town centre to have lunch at the new CockaDoodleMoo restaurant. It had been highly recommended by friends.
We parked up at the Town Hall Square and walked over to Yorkshire Street. Along the way we were confronted by three dishevelled drunks (one of whom was a woman) drinking and swearing.
They surrounded us asking for money. It was an awful experience. We promptly turned around and went home.
Well done to Councillor Farnell and Rochdale Council for taking firm action to deal with these drunken, foul-mouthed and aggressive louts who are putting people off visiting our town.
Some misguided people (mostly from outside Rochdale) complain this is an attack on free speech and their human rights.
What about the human rights of decent folk who have to put up with this behaviour? Paul Clegg Craiglands
TAX MOVE LEADS WAY
MAY I endorse the congratulations of the Children’s Society to Rochdale Council for their pioneering decision to exempt care leavers from council tax. Let’s hope other councils follow their lead.
More than 80 per cent of young people leaving care end up in debt. Having one less bill to worry about will help some of the most vulnerable people in society.
It’s hard enough setting up your first home and setting out in life without having to deal with huge debt problems.
Well done also to Luke Rigg, a young care leaver himself, who worked with councillors to bring about the change.
More good news is that all new foster carers of teenagers will also qualify for free council tax.
They are very difficult to recruit and its much better for these often troubled youngsters to be looked after by a loving family rather than be placed in institutionalised care, often miles away from home.
I know its popular to knock our local councillors, but these are just two things where Rochdale is leading the country. Ken Blackwell Spotland Road
WHAT ARE WE PAYING FOR?
LIKE all Rochdale residents I have recently received my council tax bill, part of the bill states GM Police and Crime Commissioner.
A few weeks ago our car was broken into outside our house in the early hours of the morning, the culprit could be seen on cctv camera committing the damage.
When I reported it to the police, I was given a number of reasons why they couldn’t do anything about it such as, because it was raining there would be no fingerprints and if the face could not be seen clearly on the camera they don’t send anyone to investigate.
If this is the best we have for crime prevention can anyone tell me what we are paying for in our council tax bills? Name and address supplied