ANGER AS IRLAM COMMITTIEE MEETING IS CALLED OFF AFTER TOO MANY PEOPLE TURN UP

The widely advertised meeting (in which it was expected would allow local people to discuss the issue of the road disruption currently plaguing the area) was due to take place this evening (16/11/17) at St Mary's Church hall, was cancelled after large numbers of people turned up to have their say, voice their frustration and demand answers from local Councillors.

Many are asking why the venue was not changed before hand as it had become quite obvious in local Facebook Groups that it was going to be well attended.

"It was blatantly obvious that the building they were aiming to use would not cut it", said one resident.

To be fair to the Committee they have had dwindling numbers attend previous meetings but some argue they were well aware of the discontent from the public and that a larger venue should have been arranged or people notified that the meeting would be postponed until they could arrange a larger venue.

Ironically the Committee meeting had penciled in just 5 minutes to discuss the A57 issues which are causing misery to local people as they tried to navigate the roadworks and now a newly created bottle neck at Barley Farm. Some residents had complained of journeys that should take minutes now taking over an hour at peak times.

Such an important topic having such a huge impact on the lives of local people deserves more than just 5 minutes to discuss. It was apparent that the local Councillors had totally underestimated growing public anger.

Much of the current congestion is being caused by a dispute over who is responsible for liability of the new bridge across to Trafford, which was hoped would help to better manage traffic flow around the stadium and give a second route out of the area.

Salford Council is currently speaking to solicitors as they are refusing to accept responsibility, as too are Peel Holdings and Trafford Council who insist it is not their liability. At the moment it looks like stalemate and there have even been rumours and speculation that the bridge may require a toll if the dispute is not settled, although no announcement has been made that would suggest that would be the case.

Councillor Jones demanded that Peel open the bridge at a Full Council Meeting yesterday, but that seems to have fallen on deaf ears and done little to affect the situation as the Council looks set to locks horns with Peel in court over the bridges future.

Meanwhile continuing traffic misery is set to continue for locals as the battle for a resolution to the problem commences.

Further delays to the opening of the crossing will only build further resentment towards Peel's plans to grow Port Salford in the area whilst at the same time damaging the local Council who are being made to look inept in their inability to deal with the issue beforehand.

It's a no win situation for everyone at the moment and all sides seem to be digging in for the long haul.

The meeting is to be rescheduled at a later date and hopefully in a bigger venue that complies with the 'Fire Regulations'.