Restoring West End Street Pitches so it can be put into the hands of local people for community use remains a top priority. A real sense of momentum is now behind this project.
This is clear not only because of our ongoing & extensive discussions with the Council, but also due to the enthusiasm my office has received from many local people who want to volunteer their own time to help out and get involved in the rebuilding of the pitches as a community institution. The enthusiasm and local buy-in to the vision is vital in securing its future by offering opportunities for the pitches to be put into proper local use once its restoration is complete.
The sense of hope & encouragement here is really powerful, it is all the more reason we need to secure the funding needed for renovation and convene local organisations to create the conditions for the refurbished pitches to have a stable future.
We prioritised promoting community ownership at the general election last year for Oldham West, Chadderton and Royton, so we could empower local people to preserve heritage and save local venues. In the same way trade unions are about fighting for people to have more power where they work, community ownership is about fighting for us to have more power where we live.
After going to the pitches before the general election last July; we visited again in August with Cllr Jabbar to see how the site could be turned into a facility run for & by members of the community. Following that, we then hosted a clean-up event in October with local organisations, volunteers, community groups & the Council to begin the fight to transform the pitches; and most recently have engaged further with the Council in February and ever since.
In an area bounded by busy roads like Oldham Way, Chadderton Way, Rochdale Road and Middleton Road, a facility like this is vital for local children to have a safe place to play, get good exercise, see friends and get involved in sports clubs.
The previous Labour government brought the pitches to the area but 14 years of cuts under the Tories put this sports venue under threat, only being saved due to the hard work of local Labour councillors. This Labour government, with our upcoming English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill will give residents the power to rescue the venues they love – and build a brighter future.
The work behind the scenes to secure the necessary funding, engage with the surrounding community, survey the site, and engage with stakeholders will continue at pace so we can get the outcome which local people deserve.
Jim McMahon OBE MP 