A housing estate in Rochdale has been overrun by cars for years, according to community members. But that is about to change following a successful campaign to find an alternative to vehicles clogging up the pavements.
Long-Standing Parking Problems
The Smallbridge estate, around Armstrong Hurst Close, Ditton Mead Close, and Stonie Heyes Avenue, has struggled with the volume of families using cars. Councillors said this left residents fighting for spaces.
Now, the plan for a new car park for the estate has been signed off and will cost £200,000. The new facility will have 23 standard parking spaces and two disabled spaces on land to the west of Stonie Heyes Avenue, next to the children's play area.
Funding and Approval
The cash was signed off by Rochdale council's Pennines Township Committee on June 9. It will be funded by the township and ward cash pots.
Coun John Blundell, who represents the Smallbridge and Firgrove ward, pushed for the changes. He is delighted to see the plans finally coming to fruition after years of lobbying.
Coun Blundell said: “I have been working hard over the past two years to secure funding for improved parking and pavements on the estate as I promised during the election.
“Last night £200,000 was secured for a new car park. This will act as a great relief for many residents but we still need to address the issues on Armstrong Hurst and Ditton Meade.
“I made clear at the meeting there is more work to do to engage residents and secure support to help people park outside of their houses, remove unnecessary verges and help residents move utilities and brick walls to provide more spaces.
“Ultimately the council needs to be supporting residents to be able to park outside their house.”
Campaign and Consultation
Coun Blundell and his fellow ward councillors launched a petition in 2024, signed by the majority of the estate, to sort the issue out. In February 2025, the Pennines Township Committee at Rochdale council signed off on a £10,000 consultation to look into the matter.
They weighed up the options of removing grass verges and walls to create a level surface for parking spaces, or creating a new car park. The latter was chosen in the end and came in at a cost lower than the expected price of between £300,000 and £600,000.
