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PAUL Rowen
MP asks for Metrolink pledge in first speech
Dale Haslam1/ 6/2005
ROCHDALE'S new MP Paul Rowen used his maiden speech in the House of Commons to set out his four-year battle plan for the town.
He cited Metrolink and the former Turner Brothers' asbestos site as two of the most vital issues politicians must tackle.
Mr Rowen and Heywood and Middleton MP Jim Dobbin pressed transport secretary Alistair Darling to make a commitment to bring Metrolink to Rochdale soon.
Mr Rowen called for the estimated £60M needed to upgrade the Oldham Loop line to be spent on Metrolink instead, while Mr Dobbin called for the proposed scheme to be fast-tracked.
Mr Rowen said: "I have a leaflet produced in 1989 by the Greater Manchester Transport Passenger Executive clearly stating 'Metrolink will start running in 1992' in Rochdale and 16 years later we are still waiting. I hope we will see progress on that.
"I want to draw attention to the importance to the town of redeveloping the TBA site.
"Residents have no problem with such a development, but we are concerned that the site is developed safely.
"The government needs to consider giving local authorities greater power to act independently to ensure developers comply with health and safety legislation."
Mr Darling said that the GMPTE has been asked to work up proposals to tackle transport problems, including Metrolink, and he hoped the government would be able to provide some funds.
Mr Rowen also paid tribute to predecessors, Sir Cyril Smith and Lorna Fitzsimons.
In the speech on Monday Mr Rowen said: "Like me, Lorna Fitzsimons is a fellow Rochdalian and we have over the years worked well together.
"She has been a feisty campaigner. Many people remember how well she marshalled troops and former troops to fight the cause earlier this year when there was a threat to the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers.
"Sir Cyril Smith represented Rochdale as an MP for over 20 years. I owe him a lot. He is the reason that, as a 17 year old, I took part in his famous by-election."
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"One of the legacies of Rochdale's textile past is the Turner Brothers asbestos site in Spotland-the site of what was once the largest asbestos factory in the world. As we know, that magic mineral has since turned into a killer dust, and many Members have been involved in fighting for pension rights for some of the former employees of Turner and Newall.
I want to draw attention to the importance to the town of redeveloping that site, which has been bought by developers. Residents and council members of all political parties have no problem with such redevelopment, but we are concerned that the site be redeveloped safely. I am afraid that the developer, in his dealings with the council or with residents, has sometimes been less than open.
Part of the problem is that a derelict industrial site such as this falls between three agencies: the Health and Safety Executive, the local authority and the Environment Agency. The HSE has only one person in the north-west looking after dereliction issues and there is no way that she can give the site the necessary attention. The Government need to consider giving local authorities greater power to act independently to ensure that developers comply with health and safety legislation. That is vital for the Rochdale site and for sites elsewhere".
10/06/2005 at 15:54