It was a packed agenda meeting officials at Oldham Council on Friday to raise a range of issues across the constituency, including the rapid rise of HMOs and the need to be much firmer in rejecting those which take family housing off the market and don’t respect the heritage and built form of our borough.
I asked about the ongoing closure of King Street following the building collapse and it was concerning that work to resolve the impacted building next door is delaying the opening of this important road as work is due to start on Oldham Way, adding to the pressure on surrounding roads.
I would have hoped given the collapsed building, which could have easily killed someone as it fell onto a bus stop used by college students below, is part owned by a sitting councillor and nominee for Leader of the Council (which itself beggars belief), that more urgency would be shown as we are over four months on. This impacts on local businesses as well as diverting buses and adding inconvenience.
I also raised the future or Harry’s Bar on Yorkshire Street, as well as a wider pubs and heritage strategy for the borough, works on the Oldham Coliseum Theatre, and basic maintenance such as pothole repairs and weed spraying on pavements which is making streets look unkept.
In usual times we hold the meeting with the leader of the council and often deputies, but without an administration it wasn’t possible on this occasion.
I’ll provide fuller updates on individual matters and there are follow ups to do.
Jim McMahon OBE MP 