COMMUTERS ARE breathing a sigh of relief after Oldham East and Saddleworth MP Debbie Abrahams helped secure a speedy resolution to the potential loss of parking near to Greenfield train station.
Many rail passengers park for free in the nearby off-road grounds of Saddleworth Rangers Rugby Club on Shaw Hall Bank Road.
But recently many of them, along with concerned locals, approached Ms Abrahams’ office asking if she could look into rumours that the popular car park was about to close.
Now, the Club has confirmed the car park will remain open after Debbie wrote to Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) about the matter.
And, thanks to negotiations with TfGM by Royce Franklin, secretary of the Greenfield Rail Action Group, the hours have been extended to 6.30am-7.30pm to accommodate earlier trains.
Rangers’ Secretary, Peter Townsend, explained: “Many people were beginning to fear the worst as they noted all signage around our car park has been removed recently.
“Our staff received a growing number of queries from concerned rail passengers, saying they would be badly affected by a lack of safe, secure parking in the immediate area.
“Some anxious local residents, particularly along Shaw Hall Bank Road, have also been to the Club to express concerns about the knock-on effect of rail users’ cars blocking up streets.
“From our point of view it would have been a very difficult situation too as we depend heavily on the rental income provided by TfGM.
“The Club is really grateful to Debbie for getting straight on to this issue and writing to TfGM, who have now confirmed that the car park will remain open.
“We’re an amateur club, with no private income, and very reliant on our small army of volunteers to provide opportunities for hundreds of children and adults to enjoy the rugby league experience.
“This is our 84th season. Generations of families across the borough have connected with the Club over those years. We hope to continue that legacy for many generations to come.”
Debbie Abrahams, MP for Oldham East and Saddleworth, said: “I’m really relieved for both commuters and the club that this issue has been resolved.”
The car park at Saddleworth Rangers will now open Monday to Friday from 6.30am to 7.30pm and the ticket office will open at 6.30am.
This move was secured thanks to negotiations with TfGM by Royce Franklin, secretary of the Greenfield Rail Action Group and OMBC councillor John McCann to accommodate recently-added earlier trains.
Cllr Franklin said: “This is great news and shows that various agencies responsible for different parts of the running of the railways can work together.”
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