Go-ahead for eyesores was worst ever decision
INTERESTING to read the views of Simon Danczuk and Robin Parker on the town centre flats in Wednesday’s Observer. I was surprised by Mr Danczuk’s comments, but expected nothing less from the former mayor, who was, remember, a fully paid up member of Richard Farnell’s crazy gang in those never-to-beforgotten days of the late 80s and early 90s.
Mr Parker used the word ‘historic’ in his praise.
I would suggest that giving the go-ahead to the erection those seven blots on the landscape was historically the worst decision ever made by a body of people elected to run the town, although not too many years later there were two other contenders: the re-development of Ashfield Valley (that didn’t last long) and Lower Falinge
It was insanity of unbelievable proportions to inflict such ugliness so close to the ‘family jewels’ -- the beautiful town hall, the remembrance gardens and the attractive lay-out of the town hall square.
The quicker those eyesores are demolished, the better. Ian Ogden Whitworth
ORDER MUST BE RESISTED
I WAS pleased to move to Rochdale in 1984. I found it a welcoming town with a borough council that seemed genuinely interested in caring for all those who live here, regardless of their age, income or housing status.
For more than three decades, I have paid my rates/community charge/ council tax in the hope that my council will play its part in providing appropriate and sensitive services, including help for the homeless and facilities for the young.
I have also felt confident in exercising my right to campaign and to leaflet in the town centre on a range of issues, including cuts to essential services, nuclear disarmament and increases to councillors’ allowances many times greater than the paltry 1 per cent allowed to most council employees.
But, now, I begin to wonder whether the council is, in fact, more interested in its partnership with property developers than its partnership with the rest of us.
As they continue to plan another 200,000 square feet of unnecessary shopping space in Rochdale centre, they also threaten us with a so-called Public Space Protection Order (PSPO), including fines for begging and a ban on leafleting without prior permission from the council.
The proposed PSPO needs to be resisted.
In particular, a ban on begging would punish vulnerable members of society by imposing financial penalties they cannot afford and cruelly forcing them to use what little money they might have saved from the charity of others to pay a fine.
Indeed, PSPOs are extremely blunt instruments incapable of addressing complex social problems or sensitively dealing with targeted groups.
PSPOs can only lead to fines and are therefore likely to draw vulnerable people into both the criminal justice system and a cycle of debt.
At the same time, the proposed curfew on under-18s is disproportionate, discriminates against young people and is practically unworkable, while a ban on the unauthorised distribution of leaflets would constitute an unjustified interference with the right to freedom of expression, which includes the right to impart and receive information.
Such a ban would curtail the rights of citizens to campaign on political or social issues and could also harm local businesses which rely on leaflets for promotional purposes.
And, as we all know, the proposed ban on swearing is unworkable and represents another violation of the right to freedom of expression. Philip Gilligan Dean Head Littleborough I KNOW every town has its knockers ... but we all live here and we should all try to be positive about the many good things about Rochdale.
The latest good news is the new leisure and shopping development approved by the council this week. It’s the shot-in-the-arm we need.
Too many people go out of town to shop.
This new development - which looks absolutely fantastic - is just what’s needed and will bring the high street names back to Rochdale.
That will mean lots more shoppers spending money in the existing shops too.
Already, more shops and restaurants are opening up.
They are confident that Rochdale is on the up. That’s why they are investing here.
Rochdale is a great town with lots to shout about.
Let’s keep on shouting loud and proud and drown out the miserable minority! (Mrs) Anne Williams Wardle Road Rochdale