The first week's operation of a parking scheme near Hollingworth Lake has provoked complaints from local residents.
After years of debate, last autumn councillors gave the go-ahead for permit-only restrictions in several streets near to the country park.
The scheme was suggested after householders said they struggled to park near their homes due to tourists occupying spaces visiting the lake.
From New Year's Day, people living on Milbury Drive, Woodheys Road, Merlin Close, part of Milnrow Road, Queens View, Cleggswood Avenue, Higher Cleggswood Avenue, Beech Avenue and Heald Close, have required a permit to park on their streets.
Each house is allocated with two passes; one for residents and one for visitors.
But since the scheme was implemented, the Observer has been contacted by numerous residents concerned about the scheme.
One reader, of Dale View, labelled the scheme 'ludicrous' and 'intrinsically unfair', given the fact that some of the homes affected have driveways and others do not.
He said: "I understand that visitors to Hollingworth Lake have caused this problem because of their inconsiderate parking but all this scheme will do is punish local residents and move the problem elsewhere in the area."
Another told us: "I have relatives in two of the streets affected by this scheme, one of whom has lived there for over 30 years, and have never found any difficulty in parking so as not to hinder any of the other residents. The problems caused by the tourist parking in the area are very weekend, bank holiday and weather dependant. The restrictions on the residents will be 24 hours a day, 365 days a year."
But David Nicholson, director of highways and engineering at the Impact Partnership said: "The residents permit parking scheme was requested by residents and is designed to provide a fair provision of parking whilst alleviating congestion problems in the area.
"The council’s policy allows each household to apply for two permits, one a resident's permit, valid for a specific vehicle and the other a visitor's permit, valid for use in any vehicle.
"This information was included in detailed consultation with local residents, the majority of whom voted for the scheme."
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There's no pleasing some people. If you are thinking of visiting Hollingworth Lake don't bother, the residents don't want your cash, go and spend it somewhere more deserving.
"I understand that visitors to Hollingworth Lake have caused this problem because of their inconsiderate parking"
So parking on a road is inconsiderate is it?, as long as no drive ways are being blocked no rules where being broken. So the residents moaned about people "parking inconsiderately" and are now moaning about the parking scheme.
Agree with Rocklobster - no pleasing some people
I think these 2 comments are ridiculous and i find i have to comment. rocklobster and donnie tobasco are too quick to assume that the visitors park on our street considerately and we are just moaning. I didn't want the permit and neither did a lot of residents, but because of one busy body with too much time on their hand, we're stuck with it 24/7 and are getting heavily fined as our street is patrolled by wardens more than a city centre is!
And yes donnie, before the permits, driveways were being blocked, our cars were boxed in, junctions and corners were park on, litter was left behind. We would also get abuse if we asked visitors to politely move, and on one occasion our neighbour had their garden wall urinate on.
So if you had to put up with this behaviour every bank holiday or sunny weekend I think you would moan as well.
I also think you will both find that the majority of the residents didn't even bother to vote. Therefore the bid of silence classed as a vote for! Where is the fairness in that. Surely if they don't vote they don't want it. Stupid do gooders who only want the permit so they feel they have done something good which in fact has caused a hiderence to most of the residents.
The residents of Hollingworth Lake are very grateful to Rochdale Council for the decision they have taken. Our quality of life has improved considerably so thank you.I agree with the comments from Louise, but thank the person who began this campaign well done( if you are a busy body we could do with a lot more like you)
Heather the residents were asked on numerous occasions to vote for or against the permit system, if they could not be bothered to give an opinion they cannot complain about any decision made. A very happy resident