Simon Danczuk MP

Fighting for Rochdale, Littleborough and Milnrow

Rochdale's Labour Parliamentary Candidate, Simon Danczuk, has given a thumbs up to the revised town centre master plan proposals but warned that the voice of ordinary Rochdale people must be heard.

"After 40-years of development turmoil and failed regeneration schemes Rochdale deserves world class public facilities that emphasise the heritage, identity and future of our town," he said. "I am pleased to hear the Council are now prioritising free open space and the environment instead of unsustainable white elephant schemes."

"However, the devil's in the detail and there needs to be a proper public consultation so people can see these plans are not green window dressing and have real substance to them."

Mr Danczuk added that the Council had previously been guilty of generating more heat than light on the issue of town centre regeneration and said it was important people know when these plans will be delivered. "At a time when Rochdale is going through tough times, people are not going to get amazingly excited about things happening in 2020," he said. "We need action now. We've been here before in that two years ago the council were banging the drum about another set of plans that never got beyond the drawing board and cost the taxpayer over 100,000. Kingsway Business Park is another example of big promises and flashy rhetoric failing to translate into reality. We cannot afford any more false dawns."

He also noted that while some of the plans sounded impressive people in Rochdale were more interested in regeneration on a human scale and of the council giving them support now. "Hundreds of people have told me that it's the small things that need to be done properly first before we get to fancy schemes. They want more support for traders, a decent fish market, free parking, safe streets free from anti social behaviour and a strong independent retail base."