Road schemes pulled from controversial Littleborough station regeneration plans

Unpopular road schemes are to be pulled from a controversial plan to regenerate the area around Littleborough railway station. It means the closure of Hare Hill Road and the narrowing of Church Street will not be considered under a second round of consultation on the project.

The proposals - which promise an ‘uplifted village centre’ - got off to a rocky start after businesses in Victoria Street were left shocked to see their premises earmarked for demolition. Further suggestions included a new ‘gateway’ public square, refurbishment of the historic railway arches and ‘infill housing’ on ‘underutilised’ brownfield land.

Rochdale council held an eight-week public consultation during October and December last year - although this led to a further backlash over the ‘inaccurate’ images, which appeared to show Hare Hill Road would be permanently closed to traffic. An update on the scheme - formally known as ‘the draft Littleborough station area Supplementary Planning Document (SPD)' - was given at a cabinet meeting on Wednesday night.

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Mark Robinson, acting director of economy, told councillors there was broad support for some proposals. These included improvements around the station to create a more ‘appealing gateway’ (58pc in favour) and refurbishment of the arches (72pc in favour) as well as an appetite for increased car parking.

But people were less enthusiastic about a new ‘village heart’ - potentially holding outdoor events - centred around the junction of Church Street/Hare Hill Road and station approach.

Mr Robinson said there was no intention to close Hare Hill Road, but the consultation images had given people