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‘Get rid of these ludicrous gates’

Tom Rowley
23/ 8/2006

COUNCIL chiefs are being slammed for getting it wrong over park gates.

Better consultation with residents would have avoided the problem, say people living near to the Corn Street entrance of Manor Park.

A double gate has been installed across the entrance but at a point where only one car can enter.

Residents say it should have been installed nearer the car park, where two cars are able to pass safely or turn around if they need to exit the park.

But cars which are reversing have no choice but to back out onto a busy roundabout.

Alan Peck, of Corn Street, said: "The speed bumps are also not high enough.

"We only had two or three weeks from telling us they were going to build these gates -there was not enough time to consult."

Cash from regeneration body Glossop Vision Liveability fund has paid for most of the work at the entrance, including tarmacing the street, re-surfacing the car park.

This is near where the new skate board area is being built - and installing tactile crossings for the visually impaired.

But Councillor Chris Webster identified several snags, including one of these crossings being built on a slight slope, and disabled parking bays not being long enough.

He is also unhappy about proposed toilets for the disabled being included with baby changing facilities, which could mean disabled folk having to queue.

A High Peak Council spokeswoman said: "The car park entrance narrows to ensure traffic slows down when entering or leaving.

"The council is aware of some issues around the siting of the new gates and is looking to see if any modification is needed.

"We have asked Glossop Access Group to undertake a site audit relating to disabled car park spaces and access generally.

"This was done on 19 August and their report is awaited.

"The proposal to put baby changing facilities within the disabled toilets is still being considered and no final decision has been made."