Dodgy underpass closed by the council

An underpass that has been a hotbed for antisocial behaviour, drug taking and crime has been closed down by the council.

The route goes under Park Parade, a busy dual carriageway that runs between Ashton town centre and Dukinfield. Tameside council took the decision to do an emergency closure at the request of Greater Manchester Police following issues of criminality and antisocial behaviour.

Now the entrance on both sides of Park Parade is blocked by a metal fence. 

Local residents and businesses also raised concerns around the criminal activity going on in the underpass, according to deputy council leader Andrew McLaren. Although the closure has been put in place for 21 days, Cllr McLaren is hoping to make the closure permanent.

Tameside council’s deputy leader and executive member for growth, housing and homelessness, Cllr Andrew McLaren said: “At the request of Greater Manchester Police, we have provided a temporary emergency closure of this underpass for 21 days. This is due to crime related issues and incidents of anti-social behaviour taking place in this location.

“The closure will be reviewed jointly with GMP, taking the action in the best interest of residents, visitors and businesses.”

Critics believe closing the underpass will block people getting to the Asda across the road and force them into crossing the busy dual carriageway. Cllr Kaleel Khan feels this is a safety risk, particularly for those with mobility issues. 

Cllr Khan is one of a number of concerned local Ashton councillors who have been left in the dark about the closure.

He agrees antisocial behaviour is getting out of control in Ashton. The independent councillor says he’s seen footage of people defecating and urinating on doorsteps in the town centre. 

The St Peters ward representative is worried this will move the problem elsewhere in the area. 

Cllr Kaleel Khan said: “One councillor can’t make a decision about antisocial behaviour in the town centre. He can’t just do this the way he wants to do it. 

“I would have supported him if he had a valid reason, but we’ve not been told why. This will just move the issue to other areas like Millennium Green in the St Peters ward.

“I said he may as well shut down Ashton town centre because there is a similar problem there. You can’t just close things down without addressing the root cause of the problem.”

Cllr Khan added his frustration that the deputy leader took action without speaking to the other Ashton councillors.

The Independent councillor felt this decision could have waited until the scheduled meeting on Wednesday (September 23) to discuss how to deal with the problem of antisocial behaviour and crime in the town.

Additionally, Cllr Khan says businesses are concerned about passing trade and their workforce getting in. This is because the underpass provides a key route between Dukinfield and Ashton town centre.