Plans to raise lake car parking fees are shelved
TOWN hall bosses have shelved plans to hike car parking charges at Hollingworth Lake.
As the Observer reported on Wednesday dozens of organisations, including Hollingworth Lake Rowing Club, Hollingworth Lake Sailing Club and Link4Life, protested against proposals which in some cases would have seen the cost of a ticket more than double.
But those plans have now been put on hold and prices will be frozen - ‘until a further consultation is carried out’.
The changes would have seen the cost of parking for more than four hours in the three car parks at the beauty spot more than double from £2.20 to £5.
Tickets for up to two hours would rise from 90p to £1, while the cost of parking for two to four hours would leap from £1.20 to £2.
The increases were first put forward last year as part of a review of parking charges across Rochdale.
But after 57 people and organisations wrote to the council to protest against the plans.
Andrew Storey, head of highways at Rochdale council, said the council had listened ‘very carefully’ to the objections.
He added: “Any increase in charges is not a decision the council takes lightly, but we have had to save £176m over the past eight years and, with another £15m to save over the next two years, we must look at all options. This is the first increase in four years and our car parks still represent great value for money.
“We are also the only council in Greater Manchester to offer three hours of free parking in all our town centres.
“Our new long-stay prices are also comparable with the majority of privately operated car parks.
“After listening very carefully to what people told us about parking charges at Hollingworth Lake, we have decided to take another look at that proposal, which means prices there will stay as they are until a further consultation is carried out.”
In their objection Link4Life, which runs sports and leisure facilities in Rochdale, said: “The 127 per cent increase to the ‘4 hours and over’ which exceeds the council’s five per cent price increase recommendation, could have a significant impact on the ability of Link4Life to enhance and deliver the future sustainability of the Hollingworth Lake Water Activity Centre and the wider park itself.”